Deworm the World: Update 2025

New Milestones from Evidence Action – Deworm the World

1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from parasitic worm infections – children are especially affected. Around 895 million children are currently at risk because they lack clean water and sanitation. Since 2014, Evidence Action has provided an evidence‑based answer: one tablet per year reliably protects a child and costs on average less than US $0.50 (Evidence Action 2025).

Since its founding, Deworm the World has delivered more than two billion treatments; in 2024 alone, 198 million children in India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Malawi were reached – a record number (Evidence Action 2025).

Several innovations are in the spotlight for 2024/25:

• Malawi: For the first time, Evidence Action is combining the deworming programme with the Equal Vitamin Access initiative, distributing iron and folic‑acid supplements at the same time (Evidence Action Malawi 2024).
• Kenya: Together with Evidence Action, the government launched the 12th nationwide deworming round, aiming to treat a further six million schoolchildren (Evidence Action Kenia 2024).
• Nigeria: Five states now deworm more than 6 million children annually; since 2016, 28 million treatments have been delivered (Evidence Action Nigeria 2025).
• Funding: A GiveWell‑recommended US $4.4 million renewal grant secures programmes in India, Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan until 2026 (GiveWell 2024).

The Problem

Schistosomiasis and soil‑transmitted helminthiasis are classified as “neglected tropical diseases”. Infections lead to anaemia, stunted growth and long‑term income losses. Without regular treatment, children miss up to 25 % more school and, as adults, earn on average 13 % less (Evidence Action 2025).

The Solution – What Changed in 2024/25

• Integration of health services: In Malawi, deworming is combined with iron/folic‑acid distribution through schools, cutting logistics costs and tackling two health issues at once (Evidence Action Malawi 2024).
• Scaling in Nigeria: A single pilot state has grown into a sub‑regional hub with about 40 staff; worm prevalence in Rivers State fell from 43 % (2014) to 13.5 % (2023) (Evidence Action Nigeria 2025).
• Exit strategies & cost reduction: In India and Kenya, Evidence Action is testing remote digital support so that mature programmes can be handed over to governments while costs continue to fall (GiveWell 2024).

Impact – Current Figures

• 73 % – 97 % reduction in worm infections in regions served for many years (Evidence Action 2025).
• US $23 billion estimated lifetime productivity gain for children treated so far (Evidence Action 2025).
• In Malawi, over three years 3.5 million children are to be reached, preventing 900 000 cases of anaemia (Evidence Action Malawi 2024).

The Organisation – Funding & Outlook

Evidence Action follows an evidence‑based scale‑up model: only programmes that pass the internal “Accelerator” are deployed broadly. In 2025, a pilot for HPV vaccinations is planned, using Deworm the World’s existing school infrastructure (Evidence Action 2025).

Thanks to strategic grants – including support from GiveWell and foundations such as the IMC Pacific Foundation – Deworm the World currently enjoys solid funding through 2026 (GiveWell 2024).

Questions & Answers – Update 2025

How low are the costs really?
Using government logistics and volunteer teachers, the total cost – including medication, training and monitoring – averages < US $0.50 per child per year (Evidence Action 2025).

Why is Malawi a new focus country?
More than 50 % of children there are affected by both worm infections and anaemia. The dense school network allows a cost‑effective dual approach (Evidence Action Malawi 2024).

What does the GiveWell renewal grant fund?
It covers programme costs in Nigeria, Pakistan, Kenya and India from 2024–26 and finances impact studies to determine the optimal time for hand‑over to governments (GiveWell 2024).