Why Bed Nets?

Bed nets are effective. According to the CDC, the use of bed nets in sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to prevent 1 million child deaths.

The World Health Organization has concluded that when the majority of a community sleeps under insecticide-treated nets, the risk of infection falls by more than half — for everyone, even those not sleeping under nets. The reason? Insecticide-treated nets disrupt the cycle of mosquitoes transmitting malaria from one neighbor to another.

Bed nets are inexpensive and durable. They cost an insignificant amount by American standards, and last up to four years. Yet for the millions of Africans surviving on less than $1.25 a day, bed nets are economically out of reach.