Malaria initiatives that demonstrate concrete technical and programmatic changes geared towards malaria elimination and the prevention of its re-establishment are eligible to compete in this year's "Malaria Champions of the Americas" contest, which gets under way on World Malaria Day, April 25. The nomination deadline is July 1.
Nominations will be accepted between April 25 and July 1. Winners to be honored on Malaria Day in the Americas, in November 2016
Washington, DC, 25 April 2016 (PAHO) — Malaria initiatives that demonstrate concrete technical and programmatic changes geared towards malaria elimination and the prevention of its re-establishment are eligible to compete in this year's "Malaria Champions of the Americas" contest, which gets under way on World Malaria Day, April 25. The nomination deadline is July 1.
Currently in its eighth year, the annual search for the Malaria Champions of the Americas aims to identify and honor innovative efforts that have demonstrated success in malaria prevention, control, elimination, or prevention of reintroduction, and that have significantly contributed to overcoming the challenges of malaria in communities, countries, or the Americas as a whole.
The awards are sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (MISPH), the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs (JHU-CCP), and the United Nations Foundation.
Regional progress against malaria
In the Americas, deaths from malaria declined 79% between 2000 and 2014, and the number of cases declined by 67%. Nineteen of the 21 malaria-endemic countries in the Region saw a decrease in cases in 2014 relative to 2000. Fourteen of these countries reported reductions of more than 75%; two countries reported decreases of 50% to 75%; while three others saw reductions of <50%, indicating progress. Only two endemic countries continued to report increases in their total number of cases.
The theme of World Malaria Day 2016 is "End Malaria for Good." The campaign focuses on how smart investments and strong partnerships have produced dramatic progress against malaria in the past 15 years, and how eliminating malaria will make the world a better, safer place for future generations, enabling millions of people to reach their full potential.
To reinforce the Region of the America's evolving commitment to malaria elimination and prevention of re-establishment, the Malaria Champions of the Americas 2016 will recognize malaria efforts that demonstrate innovative changes geared toward for greater effectiveness, for example, the use of surveillance information in decision-making; quality assurance and timeliness in terms of key malaria interventions; innovative approaches to address populations in situations of vulnerability; strengthened country ownership or reinforced national investments, among others. Nominations will be evaluated based on demonstrated achievements in capacity building, innovation and equity, collaboration, and impact.
Winners of the 2016 Malaria Champion of the Americas award will receive:
- The opportunity to participate in three PAHO capacity-building trainings for malaria prevention, control and elimination
- US$2,500 in funding to support malaria-related capacity-building efforts (e.g., staff training/education, research, project proposal development, or other activities that enhance skills and abilities to achieve goals and targets)
- A commemorative plaque
- The opportunity to be featured in various communication platforms of PAHO, UN Foundation, GWU-MISPH, and JHU-CCP as a "best practice" story on malaria.
Nominations for the 2016 Malaria Champions of the Americas will be accepted from April 25 to July 1, 2016. Full details and nomination forms can be downloaded at www.paho.org/malariachampions.
Top winners will be recognized during the commemoration of Malaria Day in the Americas in November 2016.
Previous awardees have included the National Program for Malaria Prevention and Control of Brazil (2015), the National Center for Control of Tropical Diseases (CENCET) of the Dominican Republic (2014), the University of Antioquia Foundation (FUA) Fund for Development Projects (FONADE) of Colombia (2013), the National Malaria Program of Paraguay (2012), and the Municipality of Wampusirpi in Gracias a Dios, Honduras (2011). Other honorees have included programs from Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Suriname.
For further information please e-mail champion@paho.org or malaria@paho.org
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The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. Founded in 1902, it is the world's oldest international public health organization. It serves as the regional office for the Americas of WHO and is the specialized health agency of the inter-American system.
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world's most pressing problems and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Nothing But Nets campaign, a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, was launched by the United Nations Foundation in 2006.
The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health carries out innovative research and scholarly service activities to meet the evolving challenges of the 21st century global health and development environment. Working with a diverse group of partners, the Center aims to strengthen the link between science and policy and to improve responses to critical health issues around the world.
The Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) is a global leader in the field of strategic health communication with active programs in more than 30 countries. CCP partners with organizations worldwide to design communication solutions that solve public health problems and inspire healthy behaviors. CCP's strengths include social and behavior change communication, advocacy, knowledge management, capacity strengthening, and research and evaluation. CCP is based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Links
—Malaria Champions of the Americas 2016
—World Malaria Day 2016
—Malaria Day in the Americas
—WHO's T3 (Test, Treat, Track) Campaign
