Educational Media Reviews Online

Malaria brings to light some sobering statistics on the disease that is devastating to populations in tropical countries. Focusing on Africa, which has 80% of the world's malaria cases, this program points out that of the 300 million people infected with the disease, 2 million will die, most of them children. This UK-based production provides a detailed overview of the physiological and sociological effects of malaria and emphasizes the research and developments underway to control the disease.

Caused by a parasite delivered by a certain species of anopheles mosquito, malaria is spread through a vicious breeding cycle supplied by human and insect hosts. Administering the right drugs at the right time can treat it, but due to a variety of economic and cultural conditions, it is difficult to achieve wide spread relief.

Researchers are looking at the epidemiology as well as the physiology of malaria to try to find patterns in living situations and how the parasite affects the immune system as well as the DNA of infected people. While vaccines play an important role, they are only partially effective. It appears that an old fashioned way of fighting the mosquitoes is proving to be one of the most effective ways of preventing the disease - mosquito nets soaked in insecticide.

The writers and producers of Malaria have managed to get an impressive amount of information into a 30 minute program. Edited in traditional documentary style, the videography is excellent and production values are generally of high quality. Malaria is appropriate for college level health sciences programs with a focus on tropical diseases and epidemiology. Recommended.