Breaking down the myths of global health, poverty, and progress

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently released their annual letter, and this year they identify and take apart three pervasive myths that block progress for the poor. Please consider reading the whole letter, as it is thoughtful, informative, and compelling. But for those with limited time, here are a few of the highlights.

The Three Myths

1. Poor countries are doomed to stay poor
2. Foreign aid is a big waste
3. Saving lives leads to overpopulation

Do these sound familiar? Are they part of your understanding of the world? The Gates Foundation takes on these beliefs not only because they are based on a pessimistic outlook that tends to inhibit action for positive change in the world, but also because the beliefs themselves are simply, factually, false.

The Data

The letter goes into detail about how historical data demonstrates that many countries that were very poor just 50 years ago have since moved into a level of economic productivity that qualifies as middle-income on the global scale.

Of course, there are still countries - and still significant portions of the population in some middle-income countries - where average per capita income is still just US$1-2/day. But there are fewer of these countries now than before, and all economic measures suggest that this global trend toward greater economic development, and the improvements in health, education, and infrastructure that tend to accompany it, will continue in the coming decades. This trend can be attributed in large part to the success of foreign aid.

Video Snapshots

If you like visual aids to help improve your understanding, check out these two short videos that address some of the nuances of Myths #2 and #3:

Bill Nye, the Science Guy, on the leading causes of death among young children, and how foreign aid - a tiny percentage of the US federal budget - makes a huge difference:



And Melinda Gates explains why improving health and saving people's lives is good for the planet - it actually reduces overpopulation in the long run:

Invest in Health, Change the World

Health care is not the only area of development important in improving the lives of the global poor, but it is a major piece of the puzzle. The 2014 Gates Annual Letter helps provide some concrete facts and figures to address concerns that often come up when we talk about Imagine No Malaria's work to prevent needless death and suffering from malaria and transform lives and communities across Africa. Please help us to spread the word and #StoptheMyth so we can make an even greater impact!


In the interest of full disclosure: a grant from the Gates Foundation covers the administrative costs of Imagine No Malaria, including Field Coordinator compensation, but I'm sharing the letter here because it's interesting and relevant, not out of obligation!

New Year's Resolutions, or How to Save Lives in 2014

Happy New Year! Are you making any resolutions for 2014? The first day of the year always seems like a good opportunity to declare your intentions to be more healthy in mind, body, spirit, relationships, finances, and other important areas of life.

If you're looking for ideas on how to help proclaim God's love in the coming year, or want to share with family and friends what it means to be a United Methodist committed to putting faith into action, here are 10 ways to support Imagine No Malaria in 2014 - let me know in the comments if you take on one or more of these, or if you have other suggestions!

How to Save Lives in 2014

1. Schedule a monthly donation to Imagine No Malaria (make sure to check the box to indicate what church you're affiliated with). Remember:

• $10 Buys a life-saving insecticide-treated bed net
• $20 Pays for the cost of food and treatment of anemia in a pregnant woman with malaria
• $50 Provides malaria medication to treat ten adults
• $100 Covers the cost of an anti-malaria campaign in a local school
• $200 Trains Traditional Birth Attendants in malaria prevention and treatment
• $500 Provides all the resources for a one-day community leader training for 35-40 people on malaria prevention
• $28/month over three years adds up to a pledge of $1,000 that will save 100 lives - that's a whole community!

2. Send an email to your friends and family, telling them about the threat of malaria in Africa, what Imagine No Malaria is doing about it, and why you are supporting this cause. Invite them to join you in saving lives.

3. Like Imagine No Malaria - Rocky Mountain Conference on Facebook and follow @RMCbuzz on Twitter. Share or retweet a post at least once a month.

4. Host a screening of A Killer in the Dark, the documentary about the United Methodist Church's work to fight malaria in Africa. Invite friends, neighbors, coworkers, or church members to watch with you and discuss afterwards.

5. Talk to your pastor, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, or other church members to find out what your congregation is doing to support INM, and offer to help.

6. Make pipe cleaner mosquitoes with your own children or the church youth group. Sell them for donations (suggested: $5 each or 3 for $10) at church during coffee hour/fellowship time or as part of a bake sale or other event.

7. Contact your Senators and Representative in Congress to let them know that you support continued federal funding for global health work, including the President's Malaria Initiative. Tell the staff person you speak with that you are United Methodist and you are doing your part through Imagine No Malaria, and you hope the US government will continue to do its part to end this unnecessary source of suffering in our world.

8. Talk to leaders in your school, civic groups, local government, hospitals/clinics, or other congregations in your community to find out if they would like to partner with your church in saving children's lives in Africa.

9. Help your church leaders plan and put on an event that invites the whole community to come together in support of Imagine No Malaria. Possibilities include a basketball tournament, benefit concert, fundraising dinner, silent auction, knit-a-thon, variety show, or any creative option that will give people a chance to have fun while learning about malaria and giving generously.

10. Pray each week for those who suffer from malaria, for those who have lost loved ones, for the doctors, nurses, and community health workers who bring healing and hope, for those who are working in communication and advocacy, for improvements to infrastructure and social systems that will make health care more accessible for more people, and that Imagine No Malaria can be a powerful witness to God's desire for abundant life for all people as we help end deaths from malaria in Africa in our lifetime.

Thank you for whatever step you can take to help make abundant life more possible for our sisters and brothers in Africa. Together, we are bringing hope and healing to millions of people: a great testimony to the Good News of God's love made known in Jesus Christ!