Britain and beyond: achieving a stronger, safer world through malaria eradication

Every minute, a child dies of malaria. Every minute, a family loses a loved one to this preventable disease. In 2021 alone, more than half a million people lost their lives to malaria. The same year saw nearly a quarter of a billion malaria cases. Few diseases rival malaria’s loss of life and wellbeing on this scale. Malaria is a disease of poverty; it affects the world’s most vulnerable and perpetuates cycles of poverty by preventing growth and development. But malaria’s impacts do not end there - malaria affects the whole world, including Britain, by weakening global health security and holding back prosperity.

This report sets out how malaria threatens global health security - straining health systems and masking emerging threats. It shows the devastating consequences of climate-related weather events on malaria control efforts and how it is becoming harder to predict and prevent malaria as climate change accelerates. It demonstrates how malaria is preventing economic growth and the potential trading opportunities for Britain with Commonwealth countries if we end malaria. It lays out how British science has pioneered malaria research and innovation for over a century. This includes the development of the world’s first malaria vaccines RTS,S and R21, new classes of antimalarial medicines, next-generation insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and innovative vector control methods. It outlines the role of malaria as a pathway to African R&D and manufacturing capacity building. Lastly, it emphasises Britain’s role in the world and the opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties with our G7, G20 and Commonwealth allies through malaria eradication.