Presentation (ppt 1.4mb)   WHO Report: The Financial Crisis and Global Health   Speech by Joy Phumaphi, WB Vice President for Human Development

January 30, 2009 - A World Bank Advisor for Policy and Strategy in Health, Nutrition and Population,
Dr. Armin Fidler, conducted a seminar on "Impacts of Economic Crises on Health Outcomes and Health Financing" at the World Bank Office in Bangkok. The seminar discussed the impacts on public health from rising unemployment, the reduction of foreign investment flows, shrinking government revenues, and a sharp drop in demands for developing countries' exports during the global slowdown. Despite several priorities competing for policy-makers' attention during difficult times, the World Bank emphasized the need to sustain health expenditures to prevent deteriorating public health, which could have a negative impact on future development once any national economy has recovered from the crisis.