For this exercise, I assumed that my lifetime income is about $1,000,000. Ten percent of my lifetime income is then $100,000. I used GiveWell’s cost-effectiveness data for three top charities to estimate what could be achieved with such a donation. For example, for the Against Malaria Foundation, GiveWell’s models suggest that with $100,000, the charity might prevent around 200,000 cases of malaria and save roughly 30 lives. In the case of the Malaria Consortium, a donation of $100,000 may prevent approximately 150,000 cases of malaria and save about 25 lives. For the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, I estimated that the same donation could treat around 100,000 cases of schistosomiasis and avert about 15 deaths.
Part B
If I were given $1,000 to donate to only one charity, I would choose the Against Malaria Foundation. I choose this charity because its intervention to prevent malaria is very cost-effective and has strong evidence for saving lives. The Against Malaria Foundation has a simple and proven method to reduce the spread of malaria, which means that even a small donation like $1,000 can have a significant impact in preventing cases and saving lives.
Part C
There are many other decisions in my life where I could use quantitative estimates to compare outcomes. For example, estimating the expected benefits from different job options and how much impact I can have in each role? how much time or money to spend on my education or personal health? How to spend my free time so that I learn the most. By making these estimates, I can compare the outcomes and try to choose the option that brings the most benefit.
Part A
For this exercise, I assumed that my lifetime income is about $1,000,000. Ten percent of my lifetime income is then $100,000. I used GiveWell’s cost-effectiveness data for three top charities to estimate what could be achieved with such a donation. For example, for the Against Malaria Foundation, GiveWell’s models suggest that with $100,000, the charity might prevent around 200,000 cases of malaria and save roughly 30 lives. In the case of the Malaria Consortium, a donation of $100,000 may prevent approximately 150,000 cases of malaria and save about 25 lives. For the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, I estimated that the same donation could treat around 100,000 cases of schistosomiasis and avert about 15 deaths.
Part B
If I were given $1,000 to donate to only one charity, I would choose the Against Malaria Foundation. I choose this charity because its intervention to prevent malaria is very cost-effective and has strong evidence for saving lives. The Against Malaria Foundation has a simple and proven method to reduce the spread of malaria, which means that even a small donation like $1,000 can have a significant impact in preventing cases and saving lives.
Part C
There are many other decisions in my life where I could use quantitative estimates to compare outcomes. For example, estimating the expected benefits from different job options and how much impact I can have in each role? how much time or money to spend on my education or personal health? How to spend my free time so that I learn the most. By making these estimates, I can compare the outcomes and try to choose the option that brings the most benefit.