In 1999 an additional 5.6 million people were infected including 570,000 children born to HIV positive mothers. Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection due to both social and biological factors. Such conditions are at their most extreme during emergencies. Prevention by reducing vulnerability and curbing transmission of the virus remains the most effective strategy to control the spread of the epidemic. Malaria Malaria kills at least 1 million people each year and infects 500 million people.
Women are four times as likely to suffer malaria attacks during pregnancy.
A malaria-stricken family spends over one quarter of its income on malaria treatment. Families pay prevention costs and suffer loss of income from repeated attacks. Complex emergencies and natural disasters increase malaria risk. Malaria is curable if promptly diagnosed and adequately treated. TB is the leading cause of death among the HIV positive.