Nominations will be accepted between April 25 and June 26. Winners to be honored on Malaria Day in the Americas, in November 2017
Washington, DC, 25 April 2017 (PAHO) - Local or national malaria initiatives are invited to compete in this year's "Malaria Champions of the Americas," which gets under way on World Malaria Day, April 25. Eligible initiatives are those that show how surveillance or universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment are essential components of malaria elimination and prevention of re-establishment. The deadline is June 26.
The annual search for 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. It is currently in its 9th year.
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. The Global Health Consortium at the Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University also joins this year's search as partner and co-presenter.
Toward malaria elimination
In Sept. 2016, countries of the Americas committed to further reduce malaria cases by 40% over the next four years, to intensify elimination efforts in all 21 endemic countries of the region, and to achieve malaria-free status in at least four of those countries. The approved plan of action also seeks to prevent the reestablishment of the disease in the 27 countries and territories of the Americas that have been considered malaria-free since the early 1970s.
Deaths from malaria in the Americas declined 76% between 2000 and 2015, and the number of cases declined by 62%. Nineteen of the 21 malaria-endemic countries in the Region saw a decrease in cases in 2015 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.
World Malaria Day 2017 builds on the momentum of last year's campaign by keeping the theme "End Malaria for Good." This year, the campaign focuses on how malaria remains both a major cause and a consequence of global poverty and inequity despite substantial progress such as in the Region of the Americas; and how further progress toward elimination of local transmission can be made by investing in malaria prevention, surveillance, and case management particularly among the most vulnerable.
To reinforce the Region of the America's evolving commitment to malaria elimination and prevention of re-establishment, the Malaria Champions of the Americas 2017 will recognize malaria efforts that demonstrate:
- Accomplishments related to the use of surveillance information in guiding targeted approaches on malaria affected areas or foci;
- Innovative approaches to address challenges in ensuring access to good quality diagnosis and treatment;
- Quality assurance and timeliness in terms of key malaria interventions, and 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 2017 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, JHU-CCP, and FIU-GHC as a "best practice" story on malaria.
Nominations for the 2017 Malaria Champions of the Americas will be accepted from April 25 to June 26, 2017.
Top winners will be recognized during the commemoration of Malaria Day in the Americas in November 2017.
Previous awardees have included the Malaria Elimination Plan 2015-2020, Ministry of Health of Costa Rica -MINSA (2016), 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, El Salvador, 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.
The Global Health Consortium at the Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, is an upcoming leader in global health multidisciplinary network in providing innovative, evidence-based solutions for the prevention, control, and elimination of relevant global health issues, and to improve the living conditions of communities through a sustainable and equitable balance between health and the environment.
