History shows it will take more than technology and money to beat malaria

Hopes of eradicating the disease by 2050 will fail unless we tackle the poverty and weak governance that allow it to thrive

The Lancet Commission on malaria eradication received widespread attention this week with its claim that the disease could be eradicated by 2050. This would be a very welcome achievement, as malaria currently kills about 435,000 people - predominantly children - each year.

The report argues that the key to eradicating malaria is the application of existing and new technology, coupled with 1.6bn extra annual funding. Unfortunately, this solution is unlikely to be successful because it fails to address the underlying causes of malaria: grinding poverty and state incapacity.