Malaria Elimination in the 21st Century: Challenges, Innovations, and Pathways to Sustainable Control

Malaria remains a major global health burden, with hundreds of millions of cases reported annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia and Latin America. Over the past two decades, significant progress has been achieved through expanded access to preventive tools, improved diagnostic methods, and effective antimalarial treatments. Global initiatives and partnerships have contributed to notable reductions in malaria mortality and morbidity. However, progress toward elimination has slowed in many endemic regions. The emergence of insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors, drug resistance in malaria parasites, and increasing environmental and climatic changes threaten existing gains. Additionally, gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance capacity, and access to healthcare continue to hinder effective control efforts. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, multidisciplinary approaches that integrate new technologies, strengthen health systems, and promote sustainable interventions tailored to local epidemiological contexts.The goal of this Research Topic is to address the persistent barriers that hinder malaria elimination and to identify innovative and sustainable approaches capable of accelerating progress toward eradication. Despite substantial investments and the widespread deployment of effective interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and artemisinin-based combination therapies, malaria transmission continues in many endemic regions. Emerging threats – including insecticide resistance, antimalarial drug resistance, climate change, and socio-economic inequalities –complicate control efforts and demand new strategies. This Research Topic aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, and public health practitioners to examine both existing challenges and transformative solutions. Particular emphasis will be placed on innovations in vector control, surveillance technologies, vaccine development, and integrated community-based approaches. By highlighting evidence-based interventions and successful implementation strategies, the objective is to inform policies and programs that support sustainable malaria control and advance the global agenda toward malaria elimination.This Research Topic focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to malaria elimination in the 21st century, emphasizing innovative tools, operational strategies, and sustainable public health interventions. The scope includes research that addresses biological, environmental, technological, and socio-economic factors influencing malaria transmission and control. Contributors are encouraged to explore emerging challenges such as insecticide and drug resistance, climate variability, cross-border transmission, and health system limitations, as well as innovative solutions that can accelerate malaria elimination. Key themes of interest include: novel vector control strategies, advances in malaria diagnostics and vaccines, genomic and digital surveillance systems, climate and environmental determinants of transmission, community engagement, and policy or governance frameworks supporting sustainable malaria control. We welcome submissions including original research articles, systematic or narrative reviews, policy analyses, implementation studies, case studies, and perspectives that provide new insights, evidence, or practical solutions to support global malaria elimination efforts. Topic editors: Adilson José DePINA, El Hadji Amadou Niang, Idelphonse Ahogni Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79219/malaria-elimination-in-the-21st-century-challenges-innovations-and-pathways-to-sustainable-control