Although the underlying factor for malaria and many other infectious diseases, spreading is poverty and can be controlled by reducing poverty, there is a cheap and easy way to prevent malaria on a more specific level. The use of insecticide-treated nets for especially children and pregnant women is very effective. To spread information about the nets and their use is a good way of preventing malaria. In addition to this, the indoor residual spraying of insecticides helps, as well as getting an early diagnosis and quick treatment for the disease. Also, controlling the environment to control mosquitoes, is a way to prevent malaria.

In order for us to fight against infectious diseases on a global level, there are several issues we must take into consideration. Firstly, there is the poor condition of health care systems in developing countries which often prevents treatment and information from reaching people. If more development assistance would be directed at improving health care systems, it would be of immense help in preventing infectious diseases. Also, money should be used to ensure primary heath care.

Increasing access to effective drugs is one of the main strategies to fight infectious diseases. The attitude of developed countries and medicine corporations should be changed for the better, so that development of new, more effective drugs would be done.

http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/TheLancetHealth.pdf

http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/malaria/malaria_facts/en/index.html

http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/tb_facts/en/index.html