We were referred to the Against Malaria Foundation today. It’s the most transparent developing-world aid organization we’ve seen to date. AMF grants funds to NGOs that distribute insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to fight malaria. ITN distribution is a well-established method for saving lives and lowering the burden of malaria (see the “Insecticide-treated nets” section of the…
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Priority region 1 – finalists
In addition to choosing straightforward, cost-effective program-based interventions, we’re also planning to identify two regions to study in detail. I’ve focused on finding priority region 1: an area that has both high and drastic disease burdens and relatively stable, low-corruption environments in which aid can likely be productive. This post details the criteria I used…
Research agenda
Below is our basic outline for identifying the best options for donors within developing-world health. (Economic empowerment and possibly other developing-world causes will come after we have completed our report on direct health interventions.) Focus on two priority regions and several priority interventions As this post explains, we are simultaneously taking two approaches: a region-based…
Cost-effective and straightforward
We know of two large-scale, systematic projects devoted to rating the cost-effectiveness of different health interventions. Both use an approach centered on disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), which is not the only measure of cost-effectiveness we intend to use, but they’re a start. One is the Disease Control Priorites report. We are currently in the process of…
“Straightforward” interventions
As discussed previously, we are looking for (program-based) interventions that are both proven and scalable. The Disease Control Priorities report lists many interventions that are “proven,” in the sense that one or more studies have been done indicating that the program has improved health outcomes in the region. However, showing that a program has worked…
Bednet use
In our analysis of bednet distribution programs, we considered the likelihood that a distributed bednet was ultimately used for its intended purpose: to protect against malaria. The Malaria Matters blog recently posted links to numerous examples of nets used for other purposes: Net stories include use for fishing in Zambia, as bridal veils in Zambia…