The article presents a comprehensive study on the global distribution and clinical burden of *Plasmodium falciparum* malaria. The authors, Robert W. Snow, Carlos A. Guerra, Abdisalan M. Noor, Hla Y. Myint, and Simon I. Hay, estimate that there were 515 million (range 300–660 million) clinical episodes of *P. falciparum* malaria in 2002, which is up to 50% higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates and 200% higher for areas outside Africa. The study uses a combination of epidemiological, geographical, and demographic data to estimate the number of clinical events, highlighting the importance of understanding the cartography of malaria risk for accurate resource allocation and evaluation of the disease's economic impact. The authors also discuss the limitations of passive national reporting by the WHO and the need for more robust data to inform global health strategies, particularly in light of the Roll Back Malaria initiative and the Millennium Development Goals. The methods section details the data sources and procedures used to estimate the global burden of *P. falciparum* malaria, including the use of active case-detection studies and spatially linked databases of human population and malaria risk.The article presents a comprehensive study on the global distribution and clinical burden of *Plasmodium falciparum* malaria. The authors, Robert W. Snow, Carlos A. Guerra, Abdisalan M. Noor, Hla Y. Myint, and Simon I. Hay, estimate that there were 515 million (range 300–660 million) clinical episodes of *P. falciparum* malaria in 2002, which is up to 50% higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates and 200% higher for areas outside Africa. The study uses a combination of epidemiological, geographical, and demographic data to estimate the number of clinical events, highlighting the importance of understanding the cartography of malaria risk for accurate resource allocation and evaluation of the disease's economic impact. The authors also discuss the limitations of passive national reporting by the WHO and the need for more robust data to inform global health strategies, particularly in light of the Roll Back Malaria initiative and the Millennium Development Goals. The methods section details the data sources and procedures used to estimate the global burden of *P. falciparum* malaria, including the use of active case-detection studies and spatially linked databases of human population and malaria risk.