Archive
CRS — U.S. Response to the Global Threat of Malaria: Basic Facts
U.S. Response to the Global Threat of Malaria: Basic Facts (PDF)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists)
In 2010, malaria infected an estimated 216 million people and killed 655,000 people, most of whom were children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the current burden of disease, malaria is preventable and treatable. Congress has increasingly recognized malaria as an important foreign policy issue, and the United States has become a major player in the global response to the disease. In its second session, the 112 th Congress will likely debate the appropriate funding levels and optimum strategy for addressing the continued challenge of global malaria.
Congress has enacted several key pieces of legislation related to global malaria control. These include the Assistance for International Malaria Control Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-570); the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-25); and the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-293). These acts have authorized funds to be used in the fight against malaria and have shaped the ways in which U.S. malaria programs are coordinated and managed, including through the creation of the U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
In 2005, in response to growing international calls for global malaria control and to the success of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), President George W. Bush launched the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), which aims to halve the burden of malaria morbidity and mortality in 70% of at-risk populations in sub-Saharan Africa by 2014. PMI brought significant new attention and funding to U.S. malaria programs and made the United States one of the largest donors for malaria efforts. While U.S. funding for global malaria programs has increased each fiscal year since FY2004, support for malaria interventions increased most precipitously beginning in FY2007 as PMI has expanded into new countries. President Obama has continued to support PMI through the Global Health Initiative (GHI).
There is evidence that the growing international response to malaria has had some success in controlling the epidemic. Since 2000, global malaria incidence has decreased by 17% and malaria mortality by 26%. Since 2000, 43 countries have reported a reduction in reported malaria cases of more than 50%, including eight African countries that have experienced 50% reduction in either confirmed malaria cases or malaria admissions and deaths. The decreases in each of these African countries are associated with intense malaria control activities. Despite these successes, several key issues pose challenges to an effective scale-up of the response to malaria.
First, increasing reports of drug-resistant malaria in Southeast Asia and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, largely in Africa, threaten the success of malaria control programs. Second, weak health systems, including shortages in health care personnel and inadequate supply chain networks, have limited the delivery of essential commodities for malaria control. There is also debate within the global health community over whether malaria efforts should increasingly target areas where malaria elimination is possible or whether efforts should remain concentrated on malaria control. This report outlines basic facts related to global malaria, including characteristics of the epidemic and U.S. legislation, programs, funding, and partnerships related to the global response to malaria. The report will be updated as events warrant.
See also: U.S. Response to the Global Threat of Tuberculosis: Basic Facts (PDF)
See also: U.S. Response to the Global Threat of HIV/AIDS: Basic Facts (PDF)
Documents Uncovered by Judicial Watch Raise Concerns About Use of Drug for Military Personnel
Documents Uncovered by Judicial Watch Raise Concerns About Use of Drug for Military Personnel
Source: Judicial Watch
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that that investigates and fights government corruption, announced today that it has uncovered documents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detailing more than 2,000 episodes during the past 15 years in which people had serious adverse reactions caused by the anti-malaria drug, mefloquine hydrochloride, commonly known as Lariam®. Of 87 reported deaths associated with the drug, 39 were recorded as suicides and 12 were homicides.
The documents obtained by Judicial Watch pursuant to a March 26, 2012, request submitted to the FDA, include details from the agency’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) identifying persons treated with mefloquine from November 4, 1997, through March 28, 2012, and the specific reported reactions to the drug. In addition to the reported deaths, reported reactions included hallucinations, panic attacks, depression, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, mental disorder, delusion, hemorrhaging, and numerous other serious disorders.
Long known for its severe neurological side effects, mefloquine was supposedly removed as the drug of choice in the treatment of malaria by the Department of Defense (DOD). In a September 2009 policy memorandum, the Defense Department stated that mefloquine was to be prescribed only in limited cases where other drugs, such as doxycycline and mallarone, were considered unlikely to be effective. Mefloquine was specifically prohibited in the treatment of patients with head injuries, and in particular, a TBI (traumatic brain injury). It is also contraindicated for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Nonetheless, the documents obtained by Judicial Watch indicate clearly that mefloquine is still prescribed, even though its use has decreased since the September 2009 memorandum limiting its use was issued. In the field, medics apparently do not necessarily need to follow such policy recommendations by the U.S. Army and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Global malaria mortality between 1980 and 2010: a systematic analysis
Is the current decline in malaria burden in sub-Saharan Africa due to a decrease in vector population?
Is the current decline in malaria burden in sub-Saharan Africa due to a decrease in vector population?
Source: Malaria Journal
A longitudinal decline in the density of malaria mosquito vectors was seen during both study periods despite the absence of organized vector control. Part of the decline could be associated with changes in the pattern of monthly rainfall, but other factors may also contribute to the dramatic downward trend. A similar decline in malaria vector densities could contribute to the decrease in levels of malaria infection reported from many parts of SSA.
CRS — The Global Challenge of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
The Global Challenge of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (PDF)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists)
The spread of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), and malaria across the world poses a major global health challenge. The international community has progressively recognized the humanitarian impact of these diseases, along with the threat they represent to economic development and international security. The United States has historically been a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; it is currently the largest single donor for global HIV/AIDS and has been central to the global response to TB and malaria. The 112th Congress will likely consider HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programs during debate on and review of U.S.-supported global programs, U.S. foreign assistance spending levels, and foreign relations authorization bills.
Over the last decade, Congress has demonstrated bipartisan support for addressing HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria worldwide, authorizing more than $37 billion for U.S. global efforts to combat the diseases from FY2001 through FY2010. During this time, Congress supported initiatives proposed by President George W. Bush, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), both of which have demonstrated robust U.S. engagement in global health. Through the Global Health Initiative (GHI), President Barack Obama has led efforts to coordinate U.S. global HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programs and create an efficient, long-term, and sustainable approach to combating these diseases.
Despite progress in fighting HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria, these diseases remain leading global causes of morbidity and mortality. Many health experts urge Congress to bolster U.S. leadership against these diseases and increase funding for such programs. In contrast, some Members of Congress have proposed cuts to these programs as part of deficit reduction efforts. This report reviews the U.S. response to HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria and discusses several issues Congress may consider as it debates spending levels and priority areas for related programs.
Fraud and Abuse of Global Fund Investments at Risk without Greater Transparency
Fraud and Abuse of Global Fund Investments at Risk without Greater Transparency (PDF)
Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs (GOP)
DEAR COLLEAGUES: Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States is providing both bilat- eral and multilateral assistance to disadvantaged populations to prevent and treat people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. As of December 2010, U.S. investment in these programs totaled more than $32 billion. The U.S. provides its multilateral assistance through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, an independent entity which receives contributions from both countries and private organizations and provides medication and health services through nearly 600 grants in more than 140 countries. Although the Global Fund has demonstrated significant accomplish- ments and successes in saving lives through its antiretroviral drug programs and its prevention work, it has recently come under fire for mismanagement of grants in several countries. Following the release of several critical reports, some donors to the Fund have suspended their contributions until all mismanagement practices and abuses of funds can be rectified.
Many of the new Members of the Senate who have no direct experience with PEPFAR and the Global Fund have asked Com- mittee staff for a brief primer on these programs in anticipation of having to make funding decisions relative to the these global initiatives. I requested Senior Professional Staff Members Shellie Bressler and Lori Rowley to produce this primer. Their report examines the history and operation of PEPFAR and the Global Fund, the problems and initial improvements made to it, and the most recent challenges it faces. It also provides a series of recommenda- tions for implementation by both the U.S. Government and the Global Fund for strengthening existing systems for the distribution of supplies, medication and services in order to prevent further mismanagement and to ensure that the maximum number of peo- ple may benefit from the health prevention and treatment efforts of the Global Fund.
These tough recommendations run the gamut from withholding U.S. funds to the United Nations Development Fund (whose Development Program is a large recipient of Global Fund grants) until the organization’s internal procedures allow for greater access to their internal audit and investigation documents, to a recommendation for the development of an additional layer of protec- tion and an early warning system in those nations where insta- bility and/or government corruption are a concern.
I hope you find this report useful and that we may work together to reduce fraud, improve transparency and ensure maximum value for the U.S. investment in these global health programs.
Sincerely, RICHARD G. LUGAR, Ranking Member.
