Malaria Eradication Program

Malaria is one of the most dangerous diseases rooming this planet. The disease—carried by mosquitoes infected by a parasite—affects half the world's population (3.3 billion people) who live in sectors at risk of the transmission. In Africa, Malaria comes in 2nd as one of the leading causes of death, right after HIV and AIDS. In the United States, there are on average 1500 cases reported each year since The National Malaria Eradication program successfully eradicated malaria in the country, in the 1950's. As any provider of knowledge, the media plays a crucial role in society by spreading awareness, evaluating the facts and presenting those facts as accurately and detailed as possible. The following paper will evaluate and critique recent coverage on the malaria to determine how successful and unsuccessful reporters cover the epidemic.

In the recent article, "Malaria epidemic hits southern Venezuela" found on the Associated Press web site, reporter Ian James focuses on the Malaria epidemic that has hit southern Venezuela this year, particularly gold miners. From the lead, there is a clear indication as to the tone and direction the reporter will take. In this case, James focuses on a straightforward approach by answering the five basic questions: who, what, where, when and how.

Many times, reporters use numbers to give the public a context to what is being addressed in their article. Two crucial numbers included in this particular story is the Health Ministry statistics, which states the number of reported malaria cases nationwide so far (21, 501) as well as last year's figure (10,785). By juxtaposing these two statistics so they stand out, the reporter gives a reader a better understanding of the implications this disease has...

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...at researchers are doing to try to eradicate malaria in underdeveloped countries such as Africa.

The global community knows the malaria epidemic continues to rampage cities, states and nations worldwide. This is not a question about whether people know it exist (unlike climate change), but how well they are informed about the realities of the situation. Yes people do need to know how celebrities are involved in the fight against malaria. But they also need to know how this affects the lives of children, women and men who do not have access to basic treatments—a disease that can be easily cured in developed countries such as the United States. If the media is ever going to improve its coverage of malaria and other vital diseases, it needs to create a balance between the desire to sell their publication and give the public the necessary information on the subject.