Malaria and Human Evolution

Malaria is one of the most widespread diseases afflicting humans. The worst malarial parasite causes over 500 million episodes of disease each year and kills more than one million children each year in Africa alone
Because of its prevalence, malaria is believed to be the strongest source of selective pressure on evolution of the human genome, contributing to sickle-cell disease, thalessemia, G6P deficiency and other erythrocyte defects (most common Mendelian diseases)
Development of effective vaccines against malaria will require further research into interactions with the immune system, genetics, and globin synthesis, function and metabolism