In light of African Youth Month, the vital role of the young generation's contribution towards advancing health and wellbeing is highlighted, particularly in driving progress towards malaria elimination.
Young Transmission Zero researchers observe mosquito cages, Imperial College London campus.
Malaria is a deadly vector-borne disease and remains a serious global threat. With approximately 249 million cases reported annually, sub-Saharan Africa takes the largest toll, accounting for 95% of the 600,000 malaria-related deaths each year.
Regarding malaria control, significant progress was made between 2000 to 2022, with global malaria mortality rates halved per 100,000 people. However, in the past two years, malaria incidence and deaths have begun to resurge. Now is the time to intensity response efforts, reinforce implementation strategies, and amplify advocacy to protect the hard-won gains in controlling malaria over the past decade.
Youth constitute 65% of Africa's population and they are vital drivers in the fight to end malaria. With the African youth comes innovation, creativity, and the potential for influence, placing them at the forefront of efforts to eliminate malaria by 2030, as advocated by the World Health Organisation.
Impact of Malaria on Youth
Malaria is not just a health issue, but rather it impacts the lives and futures of millions of young people. Epidemiologically, children under five, older youth, and pregnant women are most at-risk, but malaria's consequences extend to every stage of life.
Young people in malaria-endemic regions face frequent bouts of illness that disrupt their education, with school-age children often missing classes due to sickness. Older youth, particularly those in breadwinning roles, experience diminished economic opportunities when malaria strikes, hindering their ability to financially support their families. Additionally, parents are also directly impacted by the disease as they miss work to care for unwell children. Youth in their reproductive years, especially young women, are further affected as they fall within the group who are more vulnerable to malaria's most severe consequences.
The Role played by Youth
There are a number of areas of involvement in which youth have and should continue to utilise in the fight against malaria.
Advocacy and Education
Youth can design and lead impactful advocacy initiatives to drive political commitment and increase investments towards malaria elimination. With their strong grasp of digital communication, social media and traditional media, young people are well-positioned to harness these platforms effectively. Through youth-led initiatives and public health advocacy groups, they can amplify impactful messages on malaria prevention and elimination to a broad audience.
Furthermore, youth can champion education by sharing information learnt in schools about malaria prevention and best practices, such as sleeping under bed nets and getting tested as soon as symptoms appear. Sharing information learnt in the classroom with their own households can go a long way in spreading awareness, contributing to early malaria detection and management, ultimately saving lives within their communities.
Initiating Policy Development
Youth can play an active role in policy development as experts of their own experiences, helping to identify and address issues within their communities. Through the voices of young leaders in health professions and also by participating in local community organisations, the youth are well-equipped to advocate for sustainable interventions, innovative tools, and practices that support universal health efforts. This approach is crucial for shaping national health policies that tackle pressing public health challenges, with malaria remaining a top priority for many African countries.
A strong example of these efforts is the RBM Youth Open Letter to African and global leaders, urging them to take action by revisiting priorities, strengthening health policies, and making strategic investments in malaria programmes.
Championing Scientific Research
Youth are at the heart of scientific research in Africa, and play a substantial role in refining interventions and developing new, innovative technologies for vector control and disease intervention. From supporting staff, technicians in the field or laboratories, to young scientists driving these efforts, youth are at the front line in the fight.
Here at Transmission Zero in Tanzania, we take pride in having young scientists working alongside senior ones to develop gene drive technologies - a transformative tool that hopes to one day revolutionise malaria intervention.
Community Engagement
Trust and acceptance from local communities is critical for successful deployment of novel interventions and practices against malaria. Young leaders and scientists, often at the forefront of outreach, use their communication skills and cultural insights to engage communities, address concerns, and educate on the benefits and safety of new methods, helping to foster local support for effective implementation.
Programs like the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) and African Union collaborations empower young researchers through training, resources and funding. These initiatives encourage young scientists to take leadership roles in projects that combine cutting-edge research with practical solutions and local community engagement in malaria-endemic regions.
Looking Ahead
Youth voices are integral in ensuring that future malaria control strategies are informed by the latest scientific research and are both innovative and inclusive. It is the responsibility of African nations to collaborate with youth organisations, listen to their ideas, and invest in novel, research-driven solutions led by young scientists. Inclusivity in health policy reforms is also crucial. By harnessing the power of youth in community engagement, nations can enhance the implementation of health strategies, focussing on malaria whilst also addressing broader public health challenges.
In Conclusion
Youth are at the heart of the malaria epidemic, experiencing its impacts first-hand whilst also holding the key to its solution. Empowering young people with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to fight this disease is essential in achieving a malaria-free future. By raising awareness, driving innovation, and taking action within their communities, the next generation will play a vital role in ending this disease once and for all.
Article written by T0 scientists, Rahema Mwanga and Rachel Mtama.
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