On November 4, PAHO celebrates Malaria Day in the Americas with a forum – “Counting Malaria Out: Promoting Best Practices and Collaboration” – and confers recognition on the three finalists for the "Malaria Champions of the Americas 2010” Award.

Media advisory
PAHO Celebrates Fourth Annual “Malaria Day in the Americas" and Confers Recognition to the “Malaria Champions of the Americas 2010"

On November 4, PAHO celebrates Malaria Day in the Americas with a forum – “Counting Malaria Out: Promoting Best Practices and Collaboration” – and confers recognition on the three finalists for the "Malaria Champions of the Americas” Award.

WHAT: Malaria Day in the Americas Forum “Counting Malaria Out: Promoting Best Practices and Collaboration” and the Recognition Ceremonies for the top three finalists for the “2010 Malaria Champions of the Americas” Award. 

WHO: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in coordination with the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF), and the George Washington University Center for Global Health (GWU-CGH), and participation of various international leaders and representatives in the prevention, control, and elimination of malaria and other diseases.

SPEAKERS:

• Admiral R. Timothy Ziemer, U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator, President’s Malaria Initiative 
• Dr. Keith H. Carter, Senior Advisor, Malaria and other Communicable Diseases, PAHO 
• Dr. Yeni Otilia Herrera, National Coordinator for Malaria, Ministry of Health – Peru 

WHEN: Thursday, November 4, 2010, from1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Pan American Health Organization Headquarters, 525 Twenty-Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20037, Room B, four blocks from the subway station in Foggy Bottom/GW

BACKGROUND:

Each year, approximately 250 million people suffer from malaria, with an estimated one million deaths annually worldwide. In the Americas, malaria morbidity has been reduced by 56% between 2000 and 2009. Eighteen of the 21 malaria endemic countries in the Region indicate this trend of declining malaria cases, while three countries continue to report increases in total number of cases. To broaden the discussion and expand opportunities to better understand the multifaceted nature of the demand for the response to malaria, we invite you to extend this invitation to all colleagues, experts, students, teachers, partners and the general public.

Presentations and discussions will focus on the following topics:

• Success Stories in Combating Malaria Globally 
• Amazon Malaria Initiative/Amazon Network for the Surveillance of Anti-malarial Drug Resistance (AMI/RAVREDA): Best Practices and Collaboration against Malaria in the Amazon 
• Malaria Prevention and Control Efforts in Peru
  

Participants in the forum include representatives from the top three finalists for the "Malaria Champions of the Americas 2010" Award and a panel of distinguished experts who served as jurors for the search of the champion this year. The Malaria Champions of the Americas 2010 is an effort that seeks to identify, celebrate and inspire continued excellence in the work against malaria in countries of the Region. The event also will premiere the video profiles of the finalists for the "Malaria Champions of the Americas 2010" Award.

LINKS: 

• PAHO Malaria Webpage
• Interactive Malaria Statistics
• Malaria Day in the Americas
• Malaria Champions of the Americas

RSVP is recommended by writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your name, title and organization.

For more information please contact: Dr. Rainier P. Escalada, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Sonia Mey-Schmidt, Public Information, PAHO/WHO, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,  Tel +202 974 3036, Mobile +202 439 9691.

PAHO, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF), founded in 1968, is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity that works with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other strategic partners in the Americas to mobilize resources and jointly address key health, education, and training priorities. With a deep knowledge of major health concerns and strong relationships with key stakeholders in the region, PAHEF builds successful partnerships and projects that advance health in the Americas. 

The George Washington Center for Global 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.