In 2021, the longstanding global health goal to eradicate malaria experienced a paradigm shift: after 30 years of development, the first vaccine for the disease was endorsed by the World Health Organization. Countries are now working to incorporate this tool into the existing arsenal of malaria control measures, including insecticides for the mosquitoes carrying the parasite and drug treatments for patients.
To discuss the vaccine and other pressing topics, public health leaders from around the world gathered at Harvard University for a week-long course. Held from June 19–24, the 10th annual Science of Eradication: Malaria course was hosted by Defeating Malaria: From the Genes to the Globe Initiative, a cross-Harvard initiative spearheaded by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with the Harvard Global Health Institute, the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.
Because participants came from a wide range of backgrounds — including academic, governmental, nonprofit, and private sectors — one main objective of the course was for everyone to gain a shared knowledge of malaria fundamentals.
“We discuss biology, entomology, immunology, drug development, control strategies, and social and behavioral aspects, among other topics. This multidisciplinary perspective of the course is at the core of the Defeating Malaria Initiative,” said Marcia Castro, chair of the Department of Global Health and Population and Andelot Professor of Demography.
A new session offered in this year’s course focused on rethinking approaches to malaria in the era of COVID-19. The pandemic spurred rapid advances in biomedical research and vaccine development, but also exposed health disparities around the world, including in developed countries such as the U.S.
“That turned into a really exciting discussion … because obviously there’s not a single answer, and things will be different for each country,” said Dyann Wirth, Richard Pearson Strong Professor of Infectious Diseases.
Other discussions centered on three main ideas that participants should consider as they implement malaria control programs in their countries. First, government buy-in is necessary at the very top levels of leadership. Second, as malaria cases decrease and dedicated programs shut down, surveillance and treatment should be integrated into existing health systems to avoid disease resurgence. Finally, countries should create viable career paths in public health so that workers to stay in the field.
“The goal of this course is to have leaders make sure that they’re considering all aspects and that they’re bold and confident in their decisions, because that’s what it’s going to take to eliminate malaria,” Wirth said.
Hope flags when medications fail, isolating and endangering patients. Backed by a major grant, 2 Harvard scientists are focused on reducing the distance between diagnosis and recovery.
Gift from business leader Alfred Lin ’94 and artist Rebecca Lin ’94, part of record 30th reunion giving, builds on critical new efforts on dialogue and generative AI
Featured series 
