A better solution

Rather than trying to increase aid to fund the battle against malaria by imposing a guilt trip on those in “the high-income world”, Jeffrey Sachs should promote a better solution (“The $10 Solution”, 1/15/2007).

Bed nets are relatively expensive with limited effectiveness. Nets get torn and go unused on uncomfortably hot African nights. Meanwhile, a better alternative gets downplayed because of irrational fears. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with DDT is a safe and proven solution to reducing malaria cases. In Zambia, the use of DDT reduced malaria cases by close to 75 percent over two years. Meanwhile, South Africa saw an 80 percent drop in cases over one year.

While nets can play an important role in the overall anti-malaria fight, promoting them over spraying unnecessarily exposes millions to the risks of a preventable disease.

[Letter to the Editor - Time Magazine. Submitted 01/11/2007.]