The WHO issued “2009 in review: key health issues, December 2009” as a “photo feature.” The overview noted:

“In 2009, the emergence of the new H1N1 influenza virus saw the world brace itself for the first influenza pandemic since 1968. This was with the backdrop of the global financial crisis, that could negatively impact spending on health.

“Yet 2009 also saw H1N1 vaccines becoming available, global responses under way to support developing countries from the health effects of the financial crisis, and global action for public health being recognized.

“WHO and UNICEF launched new plans to tackle the two biggest child killers – pneumonia and diarrhoea, and the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries topped four million. Making hospitals safe in emergencies, a new look at women’s health, global health risks, and progress towards tackling malaria also made news in 2009. http://www.who.int/features/2009/year_review2009/en/index.html