Can malaria be eliminated? 15 years on.

Area of Science:

• * Global Health
• * Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• * Parasitology

Background:

• * This commentary revisits Greenwood's 2009 insights on malaria elimination.
• * It incorporates recent developments and publications up to 2024.
• * Many previously identified challenges and strategies remain pertinent.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To assess the enduring relevance of malaria elimination strategies.
• * To evaluate the accuracy of predictions made 15 years ago.
• * To discuss current obstacles and future directions in malaria elimination.

Main Methods:

• * Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
• * Comparative analysis of 2009 commentary with contemporary findings.
• * Reflective commentary on progress and persistent challenges.

Main Results:

• * A significant number of challenges and strategies from 2009 are still relevant.
• * Several predictions made in 2009 have been validated by subsequent progress.
• * Malaria elimination faces its most difficult phase, particularly in areas with high transmission rates.

Conclusions:

• * Malaria elimination requires sustained and evolving approaches.
• * Reliance on a single solution is insufficient for achieving global malaria eradication.
• * Integrated and innovative strategies are crucial for overcoming current and future obstacles.