Take it Global

World Malaria Day 2011

World Malaria Day, recognized annually on April 25, is the day the World Health Organization dedicates to celebrating global efforts to halt malaria. About half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. The disease infects more than 500 million people every year, killing more than 1 million.

This year's theme, Achieving Progress and Impact, hopes to inspire and encourage governments, communities and individuals to actively engage in preventing and combating malaria. Visit www.rollbackmalaria.org/worldmalariaday/ for more information, FAQs, materials and multimedia.

Here are some easy ideas for how you can participate in World Malaria Day 2011:

1. Learn what causes malaria and how it's transmitted. Do male and female mosquitoes both carry the disease?
2. What are the symptoms of malaria and how does it affect your body?
3. Consider making a troop or personal donation to a non-profit organization that provides life-saving mosquito nets to people around the world. NetsforLife, Netting Nations or Nothing but Nets are all good places to start.
4. Post a web link relating to World Malaria Day on your Facebook profile.
5. Invite a returned Peace Corps volunteer to speak to your troop about the malaria and health issues in the country where she served.
6. Ask your school if you can put up flyers and posters with malaria facts and what people can do to help.