Today marks the first-ever World Malaria Day, as I've mentioned in several previous blog posts this month. Putting a stop to this mosquito-spread disease, which kills one million people each year, is possible.

Dr Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Executive Director of Roll Back Malaria, released this statement today (quoted in part):

Malaria may not appear to be a top-tier problem but tackling it once and for all is a top-tier solution to some of the most daunting global issues of our time. Investing in malaria is investing in poverty eradication, in reducing child mortality, in combating major disease and in achieving universal primary education.

More importantly, investing in malaria is addressing a problem that has a well-defined solution. We know what we need to do to alleviate the malaria burden: the know-how is available, the commitment of donors and key actors to fight the disease has never been as firm, and the funding gap that has prevented progress for a long time is beginning to close.

It is time to recognize that even the safest national borders cannot protect us from global threats such as malaria. It is time to break the divides between different sectors of international work and integrate our efforts at achieving the goal of covering all people at risk with malaria prevention and treatment by 2010. This goal is every bit as achievable as it is worthwhile. And it is time for us all to reach for it.

Each time you slap a mosquito at a backyard barbecue this summer, I hope you'll be reminded of the millions who live with and die from mosquito-borne diseases. Better yet, take out a ten dollar bill and donate a mosquito net today.

Donate Mosquito Nets:
• Malaria No More
• Nothing But Nets
• Nets for Life