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Malaria | November 2023

Laolu Senbanjo: Tradition and Modernity in Visual Harmony

Image of Laolu Sebanjo.

Laolu Senbanjo, also known as ‘Laolu NYC,’ seamlessly weaves tradition and modernity to create a visual language that transcends cultural boundaries. As a cultural ambassador, he bridges the gap between the ancestral and the contemporary, drawing inspiration from Yoruba tradition and coining two distinct art styles: Afromysterics and the Sacred Art of The Ori.

Image of Laolu Sebanjo.
Laolu Senbanjo

At the core of Senbanjo’s art is his belief that ‘everything is his canvas,’ including people. Utilizing his Ori art form, Senbanjo transforms bodies into living canvases that tell stories of identity, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of humanity.

Beyond his artistic prowess, Senbanjo is a multifaceted individual—a performance and visual artist, singer, songwriter, musician, human rights lawyer, and activist. His work delves into social activism, addressing issues of race, equality, and cultural preservation.

Moreover, Senbanjo is dedicated to the fight against malaria, championing the Draw the Line Malaria campaign. Leveraging his platform, he passionately advocates for malaria awareness and prevention, using his art to illuminate the devastating impact of this disease.

You can learn more about Laolu Sebanjo, his art, and his part in the fight against malaria by visiting his website: laolu.nyc.

Image of Laolu Muse
“Muse”
Image of Africa
“Africa is Not a Country”
Laolu Senbanjo “Draw the Line Against Malaria” Campaign Video

*All images are © 2023 Laolu Senbanjo unless otherwise stated.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Public Health Landscape or Valent BioSciences, LLC.

More from Malaria | November 2023

Dr. Salim Abdulla: The Heart and Soul of Malaria Research

Dr. Salim Abdulla is a distinguished clinical epidemiologist whose remarkable career has significantly impacted the global fight against malaria and emerging pathogens. With over 20 years of experience in conducting clinical trials and groundbreaking research, he has played a pivotal role in shaping national malaria policies and leading innovations in healthcare.

Throughout his career, Dr. Abdulla has focused on evaluating and introducing critical interventions in the fight against malaria. He conducted extensive research on insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies, leading to important advancements in national malaria policy formulation. Notably, he is currently engaged in the evaluation of new malaria vaccines and treatments, with the goal of achieving regulatory licensure.

Malaria by the Numbers

According to the 2022 World Malaria Report, despite disruptions to prevention, diagnostic and treatment services during the pandemic, countries around the world have largely held the line against further setbacks to malaria control.

Good news:
Progress towards malaria elimination is increasing; in 2021, there were 84 malaria endemic countries compared with 108 in 2000.

The Economics of Malaria

In the 2022 World Malaria Report, compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), the total spend on funding the fight of malaria in 2021 was estimated at USD 3.5 billion. Over that year, the same report states that there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria and 619,000 malaria deaths globally.

More recently, over the course of the 20th Century, malaria is believed to have claimed between 150–300 million lives. The disease is contracted predominantly in the tropical regions: sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Amazon basin. This is due to the prevalence of the Anopheles mosquito that transmits the disease. Poorer regions of Africa bear the vast majority of the burden. In 2021, around 95% of the diagnosed cases and deaths were on the African continent, 80% of which were children under the age of five. The disease is entirely preventable and curable with prompt diagnosis and effective methods of treatment which require sufficient investment and funding.

How Climate Change is Spreading Malaria in Africa

Warming temperatures are chasing animals and plants to new habitats, sometimes with devastating consequences to ecosystems. But there is little evidence regarding how far and how fast the invaders might be moving.

A new study offers a glimpse of the future by looking to the past. Mosquitoes that transmit malaria in sub-Saharan Africa have moved to higher elevations by about 6.5 meters (roughly 21 feet) per year and away from the Equator by 4.7 kilometers (about three miles) per year over the past century, according to the study.