Feature: Celebrity VS Poverty

Reality show judge and pop star Cheryl Cole is every newspaper’s dream. The gorgeous face of L’Oreal is splashed across the front page of magazines and newspapers on a daily basis. Recent news stated that the A-list star contracted malaria [1] whilst on holiday to Tanzania. Like vultures, the media went crazy for the story, with almost every UK newspaper, magazine and chat show reporting the news. The Western world today is so obsessed with celebrity culture. We live in a society where people are fascinated by Hollywood stars, Big Brother and soap operas. Celebrity gossip certainly sells like hot cakes…

However, there are over 250 million malaria cases in the world each year [2]; a topic that (more often than not) fails to make it to the forefront of the news. Why is it that when a high profile celeb is hospitalised after contracting the deadly disease, that only then does malaria become ‘news worthy’?

Top headlines, ‘Cheryl Cole’s malaria leaves a big hole in the X Factor’, ‘Two month recovery means Cole’s album is cancelled and X Factor job in doubt’ and ‘Derek Hough blames himself for Cheryl Cole’s malaria’ have all caused a stir amongst the British public. Much of the media seemed far more concerned for the star’s future career and her relationship with dancer Derek Hough than malaria itself. Certain news items failed to recognise the really important issue and lacked vital information and focus on the fatal disease. This is a prime example of the warped views the media today have on what should and shouldn’t be viewed as ‘international tragedy’.

'It is probable that by the time you have finished reading this article, four or five children will have died from malaria.'

The sad reality is that approximately 3.3 billion people - half of the world’s population - are at risk of malaria [3], the developing countries being the most vulnerable; those nations who are caught in a vicious circle of disease and poverty.

Malaria drains national economies, discourages foreign investment and tourism and decreases income through sickness and absenteeism. Africa is one of the most affected areas, where one in every five childhood deaths is due to the effects of malaria [4], and every 30 seconds a child dies from the disease. As Paula Daeppen [5], from The Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) says, “It is a silent catastrophe – a tragedy that does not get media exposure.”

It is probable that by the time you have finished reading this article, four or five children will have died from malaria.

Help your world by joining in the battle against poverty and malaria [6]. Spread the facts about the disease and get involved with World Malaria Day.

Words: Nadia Kouhi
Photo: Flickr user bluestilton

Discliamer: This is an opinion feature by Nadia Kouhi and is not necessarily reflective of Christian Aid and Ctrl.Alt.Shift views.

For more information on Christian Aid’s work to beat Malaria, please click here [7].

Send a text and donate £1 to save a life from malaria - click here [6].

Log on to www.worldmalariaday.org [8] for more information.