The Burden Of Disease: Malaria And The Underdevelopment Of Cameroon And Africa In Comparative Perspective With Latin America And Southeast Asia

This study examines how infectious diseases have played a significant role in shaping the socio-economic development of nations. Malaria, in particular, has been a persistent challenge in Africa, contributing to cycles of poverty, economic stagnation, and underdevelopment. While regions such as Asia and Latin America have experienced significant economic growth despite the historical presence of malaria and other tropical diseases, Africa continues to grapple with the socio-economic consequences of high disease prevalence. This article explores the historical impact of malaria and other endemic diseases on the underdevelopment of Cameroon and Africa at large. It analyzes how disease burden has hindered economic productivity, disrupted social structures, and influenced colonial and post-colonial policies. By comparing Africa’s experience with Asia and Latin America, the article highlights differences in public health interventions, governance, and economic policies that have shaped divergent developmental trajectories. To arrive at a standpoint, data collection has been done based on colonial reports, the World Bank, World Heald Organization, and independent scholars, which showed how countries in Asia and Latin America with fewer malaria cases are doing better economically than Cameroon and Africa.