Deforestation can increase malaria transmission. This study investigates how global demand for commodities driving deforestation increases malaria risk. Using a trade database, it links consumption of deforestation-implicated commodities in developed countries to malaria risk in developing countries. The study estimates that about 20% of malaria risk in deforestation hotspots is driven by international trade in commodities like timber, wood products, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, and cotton. Linking malaria risk to final consumers supports demand-side policies to complement existing malaria control interventions, offering co-benefits for reducing deforestation.

Leonardo Suveges Moreira Chaves, Jacob Fry, Arunima Malik, Arne Geschke, Maria Anice Mureb Sallum, Manfred Lenzen