The two programs in the table below have been proven to reduce death and suffering from malaria (under the right conditions):
| Program | How it works | Cost | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) | Hung over windows or beds, nets kill or repel mosquitoes, reducing the risk of infection | Approximately $200-$1,100 per life saved and 300 non-fatal episodes averted | In-depth evidence review |
| Drug treatment | Antimalarial drugs are highly effective in curing malaria | We have not found a reliable estimate | In-depth evidence review |
While we think that malaria is an area in which donors can do a lot of good, we don't think you can assume that every charity working in this area is consistently and cost-effectively saving lives.
In the case of insecticide-treated nets, nets may not reach children and pregnant women in high-risk areas, who are most in need of them, or those who receive them may not use them properly.2 Donors should ask charities to demonstrate that the nets they distribute are used properly by at-risk populations.
Donors should also be aware that while ITNs are a highly cost-effective way to save lives, charities' claims of the low cost of saving a life with an net can be overblown.3 $10 may buy and distribute a net, but not every child who sleeps under a net would have died otherwise, and even properly used nets do not offer 100% protection.
We recommend these charities, in the following order, for donors interested in using their donation to fight malaria:
See list of leading causes of death (2004).
Examples: