Nothing But Nets

No, this isn't a column about the imminent elimination of my hometown Wizards from the NBA playoffs.

I was remiss last week by not commenting on World Malaria Day. More than a million people around the world die each year from the mosquito-borne scourge, most of them children. International health agencies and foundations are mobilizing resources to combat the disease. As regular readers know, I have written about anti-malarials, especially the artemisinin-based drugs derived from traditional Chinese medicine. But they are just one leg of the three-pronged strategy that can be used to eradicate the disease in an area. The other two are indoor residual spraying (where the quality of housing allows it) and widespread use of bednets.

There are controversies involved in the deployment of bednets in Africa, where malaria prevalence is most pronounced. Should the nets be distributed free, or sold through "social marketing" so that people will value them and help stimulate the local economy? The New York Times this morning didn't address the distribution question, but did note that there is a global shortage of bednets that could be addressed through greater charitable efforts.

Want to help out? I donated $25 last Friday to the Nothing But Nets campaign, jointly sponsored by the NBA and the UN Foundation. Why don't you join me. You can make your own donation by CLICKING HERE.