A child has a better chance of survival now than at any point in history—in large part because of progress in the fight against malaria. 

Since 2000, U.S. leadership alongside a concerted global effort has helped save almost 7.6 million lives and prevent more than 1.5 billion malaria cases. Yet nearly half the world's population lives in areas at risk of malaria transmission and malaria remains a leading cause of sickness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. Insecticide resistance, antimalarial drug resistance, climate shocks, and the invasive malaria-carrying mosquito Anopheles stephensi are serious and growing threats to the steady progress made against malaria worldwide.

USAID's leadership in the fight against malaria does more than save lives and protect the people most at risk for contracting this deadly disease. USAID investments promote the economic growth and stability of communities and nations, while advancing American prosperity and security.

Leading the U.S. government’s largest program envisioning a malaria free world

Preventing and controlling malaria remains a U.S. national-security and foreign-assistance priority. Reducing malaria enables governments, civil society, faith-based organizations, and the private sector in USAID partner countries to unlock economic growth and realize greater human potential, paving the way for progress beyond programs and fostering productive partnerships with the United States. 

Through its leadership of the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), USAID works closely with the governments of malaria endemic countries to strengthen their capacity to prevent and treat the disease.  PMI, which is co-implemented with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has 30 partner programs across sub-Saharan Africa and the Greater Mekong Subregion in Asia. 

USAID also supports efforts to make progress toward malaria elimination in the Latin America and Caribbean region. USAID funding and technical assistance in the region accelerate progress against malaria by strengthening approaches for malaria diagnosis, treatment, vector control, and surveillance. 

Fostering Global Partnerships and Innovative Research 

USAID engages with global partners through multi-stakeholder forums such as the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and works closely with bilateral and multi-donor partners such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. USAID also invests in research and development of malaria vaccines and new antimalarial drugs and insecticide-based mosquito control tools.