Author:
Ramanan Laxminarayan
October 2003, Discussion Paper 03–50
Abstract
Living in malaria-endemic regions places an economic burden on households even if they do not
actually suffer an episode of malaria. Households living with endemic malaria are less likely to have
access to economic opportunities and may have to modify agricultural practices and other household
behavior to adapt to their disease environment. Data from Vietnam demonstrate that reductions in malaria
incidence through government-financed malaria control programs can contribute to higher household
income for all households living in endemic areas. Empirically, a 10% decrease in malaria cases at the
national level translates to a roughly US$30 million annual economic benefit in the form of improved
living standards.
