When left untreated, malaria can lead to anemia, which can cause developmental delays in children. Researchers evaluated a three-pronged malaria intervention consisting of antimalarial drugs, insecticide-treated bed nets, and education on preventing the infection for children in Mali. This approach, administered in schools, saw a 95 percent drop in malaria infections and a 44 percent lower risk of anemia, compared to bed nets alone. Students who received this intervention also had an improved attention span, indicating the potential for better educational outcomes.
Reuters, June 2017