This year marks the 14th annual Malaria Day in the Americas!
Malaria Day in the Americas is an important opportunity and mechanism for countries of the Region to engage various stakeholders in aggressively fighting malaria.
Below you'll find key statistics, graphics, and social media language to share.
OVERVIEW
Following a sustained trend toward reduction of malaria from 2005 to 2014, in recent years the Region of the Americas experienced an increase in the total number of cases and deaths since 2015, mainly as an effect of the massive increase in transmission and outbreaks in areas with complex socio-political and economic challenges and recently compounded by other challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Much like the global trend, progress on the achievement of target reductions in malaria burden have stalled since 2015. Between 2015 and 2018, malaria cases and deaths have increased by 69% and 111% respectively.
Urgent action is needed to get the global response to malaria back on track – and ownership of the challenge lies in the hands of countries most affected by malaria.
On the occasion of Malaria Day in the Americas 2020, and in keeping with this consolidated effort by the global malaria community to highlight the reported successes and the remaining challenges in malaria today, the Region is adapting the same theme used for the commemoration of World Malaria Day 2020: “Zero malaria starts with me.”
KEY MESSAGES
1. Keep malaria high on the political agenda. On Malaria Day in the Americas 2020, PAHO reaffirms that it is crucial to sustain efforts in malaria diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, ensuring that best practices to protect health workers and communities are followed and aligned with national COVID-19 guidelines.
2. Intensify efforts and support for places which are most affected by malaria in the Region. Currently, an important proportion of malaria cases in the Region remain concentrated in a relatively few municipalities in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, and Venezuela.
3. Empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and elimination. Organizations, citizens and local government authorities must be engaged in developing key interventions for malaria elimination at the municipality level if we are to ensure that no one gets left behind.
4. Be part of the solution; be an advocate for malaria elimination. Sustain malaria interventions while protecting yourself, health workers and communities from COVID-19.
Hispaniola, the last malaria endemic island of the Caribbean, has reduced cases by more than 50 percent since 2015 and is now well-positioned to end malaria in the next several years.
handles and hashtags
@ASTMH @nothingbutnets @malarianomore @endmalaria @unfoundation @pahowho @JohnsHopkinsSPH @JohnsHopkinsCCP @Gwpublichealth @zeromalaria
#MalariaDayAmericas #endmalaria #MalariaChampions #HealthForAll #zeromalaria #zeromalariastartswithme
Twitter messages
On #MalariaDayAmericas, @PAHO calls to keep malaria high in the political agenda to keep elimination efforts on track. Sustain malaria efforts while protecting yourself, your community and health workers during COVID-19. #zeromalaria
We are celebrating #MalariaDayAmericas! 🎉 El Salvador completed 3 years without local #malaria transmission and is likely to be certified malaria-free this year! Belize also had no local transmission in 2019, putting it on track to be certified as malaria-free in 2022.
Ending malaria in #Hispaniola would not only strengthen the health system but it has the potential to spur economic development and foreign investment, increasing income levels, and improving the quality of life in the #Caribbean. #MalariaDayAmericas https://nothingbutnets.exposure.co/countdown-to-zero
On #MalariaDayAmericas, these are the three things needed to move towards malaria elimination: 1️⃣ political commitment, 2️⃣ financial resources, 3️⃣ empowered communities. #zeromalaria #HealthForAll
This #MalariaDayAmericas, it's crucial that malaria interventions consider the importance of lowering disease and death caused by malaria, while still ensuring the safety of communities and health workers during COVID-19. #HealthForAll #zeromalaria
Be part of the solution to #EndMalaria! How? Use your voice 📣 to be an advocate for malaria elimination. Together, we can be the generation to end malaria. #MalariaDayAmericas #zeromalariastartswithme
#MalariaDayAmericas is an opportunity to... ❓learn about the disease and know if you’re at risk, 🩺 sustain malaria interventions while protecting health workers & communities from COVID-19, 💬 share messages with family and friends and support the cause to eliminate malaria.
In Ecuador, malaria is concentrated in hard-to-reach tropical areas of the coast and the Amazon jungle, with indigenous people, mobile workers, and migrants living at high risk. The Ministry of Public Health is working to eliminate malaria and ensure health inclusion and equity for all.
facebook and instagram messages
We are celebrating Malaria Day in the Americas, a day created to bring together the malaria community and celebrate the success we have had in the fight against malaria. We need to build on the momentum of today and encourage people in the Region to become strong and involved advocates against the disease. Join us today!
On Malaria Day in the Americas, there are the three main things needed to move towards malaria elimination. They are 1️⃣ political commitment, 2️⃣ financial resources, and 3️⃣ empowered communities. Now is the time to continue progress against this disease. Take action and advocate for continued funding and research to help us end malaria for good!
There is good reason to celebrate this year on Malaria Day in the Americas! 🎉 El Salvador completed 3 years without local #malaria transmission and is likely to be certified malaria-free this year! Belize also had no local transmission in 2019, putting it on track to be certified as malaria-free in 2022. We need to build on this momentum and encourage people in the Region to become strong and involved advocates against the disease. Join us today!
malaria champions of the americas
Municipalities for Zero Malaria was inspired by the need to act more locally and more decisively to impact malaria in areas with the greatest burden. This initiative aligns with WHO's Sustainable Development Goals, including its new, country-led approach to address malaria: “High Burden to High Impact.”
This year, the “Malaria Champions of the Americas” competition is honoring the communities that have worked tirelessly to diagnose, treat, and prevent malaria in their area.
Brazil - Atalaia do Norte, State of Amazonas
This malaria champion shows the great value of intersectoral work, active indigenous community participation, and support from the municipality to help advance malaria elimination efforts amidst the additional challenges of COVID-19 pandemic.
Brazil - Oeiras do Pará, State of Pará
This malaria champion is determined to eliminate malaria in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased risk of transmission through migrating populations while ensuring the safety of health workers and patients.
Colombia – Quibdó, Department of Chocó
This malaria champion is implementing and emphasizing the importance of a synergistic approach to malaria and COVID-19 through effective operational innovations that look to ensure safe delivery of health services among vulnerable populations.
Haiti - Les Anglais, Department of Sud and Les Irois, Department of Grand’Anse
This malaria champion shows how effective malaria planning, intersectoral work, strong partnerships, and sustained investments in a community health worker approach can mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and move towards malaria elimination.
Honduras - Puerto Lempira, Department of Gracias a Dios
This malaria champion illustrates effective efforts in protecting achievements towards malaria elimination during the COVID-19 pandemic and operating under continuing challenges of shared country borders.
malaria champions tweets
Congratulations to malaria programs in #Brazil, #Honduras, #Haiti and #Colombia for being honored as Malaria Champions! Their work is crucial in ending malaria for good and we're excited to celebrate them! 🥂 #EndMalaria #MalariaDayAmericas
National & local leaders in #Brazil, #Honduras, #Haiti and #Colombia saved lives and proved that municipalities with challenging situations can be on the path towards #zeromalaria. Together, we can #endmalaria.
Exciting news! Communities in #Brazil, #Honduras, #Haiti and #Colombia are being honored as Malaria Champions. Their work amid the COVID-19 pandemic was truly remarkable! #MalariaDayAmericas