Malaria in Indonesia As a widespread and persistent communicable disease, malaria represents a global health problem with millions of deaths due to the disease each year (World Health Organization [WHO] , 2011). Among Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia shows significant infection trends. Compared to neighboring countries, Indonesia's health situation is relatively poorer (Saadah & Knowles, 2000). Environmental factors, resistant strains of malaria parasites, ineffective treatments and inadequate preventive measures contribute to the persistence of this lethal epidemic. In an effort to identify key prevention strategies to deter malaria in Indonesia, it is essential to discuss the prevalence, contributing factors, and control efforts of the disease. Throughout Indonesia, malaria has proven to be a real threat to public health with millions of clinical cases documented every year (Snow, Guerra, Noor, Myint and Hay, 2005). Malaria has been cited as the fourth leading cause of death among children in developing countries such as Indonesia (Snow et al., 2005). These figures are alarming especially considering the relentless control efforts and the unprecedented amount of funds allocated for such efforts. The impact of malaria has had serious financial implications in Indonesia, slowing financial growth and only exacerbating the current state of poverty. In 2006, there were an estimated 2.5 million cases of malaria in Indonesia (WHO, 2011). Incidentally, Indonesian adult life expectancy is 69 years for men and 74 years for women (CDC, 2012). Environmental and socioeconomic factors have significantly contributed to new cases of malaria transmission across Indonesia. Factors such as precipitation, wind patterns, temperature...... middle of paper ...... the air. However, since thousands of people still die from the disease each year, national legislative efforts must focus on funding disease control efforts. With insufficient funding, progress made in reducing the spread of malaria in Indonesia could prove futile. Political awareness of this economic gap is urgently needed to support the decline of this disease, especially with the emergence of drug resistance. Community efforts to raise public awareness of malaria will promote compliance with primary prevention and treatment. More importantly, policy planners must focus on launching effective control programs that recognize the poor socioeconomic status of malaria-infested areas. Collaborative efforts to secure funding for continued evidence-based research and practice represent the best approach to minimizing and eventually eliminating malaria from Indonesia.