Health

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan (C) gestures between WHO head of department for gender, women and health, Tonya Ngayo (L) and assistant Director General for family and community health Daisy Mafubelu, during a media presentation of a report 'Women and Health' at the WHO headquarters on November 9, 2009 in Geneva. The report underlined that women were particularly vulnerable to a lack of adequate care in old age -- when they often outlive men -- and in their adolescence.

Philippine Secretary of Health Francisco Duque (L) and World Health Organization (WHO) regional director, Shin Young-Soo (C), visit an evacuation center for flood-affected victims in the town of Muntinlupa, south of Manila on October 28, 2009. UN health experts began field investigations on October 28 to help the Philippines contain an outbreak of a deadly disease in the wake of massive storms that claimed more than 1,000 lives, officials said. The World Health Organisation's four-member team will work with and advise local officials on combating leptospirosis, an infection caused by exposure to water contaminated with rat and other animal urine, the agency said.

Philippine Secretary of Health Francisco Duque (R) holds a child while World Health Organization (WHO) regional director, Shin Young-Soo (L), looks on during a visit to a evacuation center for flood-affected victims in the town of Muntinlupa, south of Manila on October 28, 2009. UN health experts began field investigations on October 28 to help the Philippines contain an outbreak of a deadly disease in the wake of massive storms that claimed more than 1,000 lives, officials said. The World Health Organisation's four-member team will work with and advise local officials on combating leptospirosis, an infection caused by exposure to water contaminated with rat and other animal urine, the agency said.

Philippine Secretary of Health Francisco Duque (front L) and World Health Organization (WHO) regional director, Shin Young-Soo (C-behind), visit an evacuation center for flood-affected victims in the town of Muntinlupa, south of Manila on October 28, 2009. UN health experts began field investigations on October 28 to help the Philippines contain an outbreak of a deadly disease in the wake of massive storms that claimed more than 1,000 lives, officials said. The World Health Organisation's four-member team will work with and advise local officials on combating leptospirosis, an infection caused by exposure to water contaminated with rat and other animal urine, the agency said.

Philippine Secretary of Health Francisco Duque (R) and World Health Organization (WHO) regional director, Shin Young-Soo (L), check a child during a visit to a evacuation center for flood-affected victims in the town of Muntinlupa, south of Manila on October 28, 2009. UN health experts began field investigations on October 28 to help the Philippines contain an outbreak of a deadly disease in the wake of massive storms that claimed more than 1,000 lives, officials said. The World Health Organisation's four-member team will work with and advise local officials on combating leptospirosis, an infection caused by exposure to water contaminated with rat and other animal urine, the agency said.

LAKEWOOD - NOVEMBER 09: Miguel Lopez, largely paralyzed from the chest down, lies in his bed at home on November 9, 2009 in Lakewood, Colorado. Lopez, a Mexican immigrant whose three children were born in the United States and are American citizens, broke his neck last summer while playing with his daughters on a backyard trampoline. Formerly a construction worker, Lopez had no health insurance when the accident occurred. Like millions of other immigrants, he would still not be covered under health care reform legislation in Congress. He receives home health care visits from Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency, a non-profit that performs some 25,000 home visits each year in the Denver area. It provides free home nursing care to patients with chronic diseases, helps them to better manage their disabling illnesses and provides custodial services with the aim of keeping patients in their homes and out of more expensive nursing home care.

An Afghan health worker (unseen) administers polio vaccine to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

Health Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou is vaccinated against swine flu, officially known as A (H1N1), at a hopital in Athens on November 16, 2009. Greece on November 16 began vaccinating thousands of hospital staff and health professionals around the country against the swine flu. A second vaccination is to follow next week for pregnant women and people with underlying health concerns.

An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

Health Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou is vaccinated against swine flu, officially known as A (H1N1), at a hopital in Athens on November 16, 2009. Greece on November 16 began vaccinating thousands of hospital staff and health professionals around the country against the swine flu. A second vaccination is to follow next week for pregnant women and people with underlying health concerns.

Two Afghan health workers knock on a door on the second day of a vaccination campaign in Kabul on November 16, 2009. A new three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on November 15 in a joint operation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Afghanistan is one of only of a handful of countries in the world that still has the crippling polio virus with new cases reported every year, most often in areas where insurgent threats mean vaccinators are unable to reach all children.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 04: (L-R) Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thomas Frieden, Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary for Preparedness and Response Nicole Lurie, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci, state health officer for the Alabama State Public Health Department Donald Williamson, and Rob Fulton, director for St. Paul-Ramsey County in the Minnesota Department of Public Health, testify during a hearing before the Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill November 4, 2009 in Washington, DC. The hearing examined the federal, state, and local public health response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic.

DENVER - NOVEMBER 09: Valeria Lopez (L), 2, looks to her father Miguel Lopez, largely paralyzed from the chest down, at home on November 9, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Lopez, a Mexican immigrant whose three children were born in the United States and are American citizens, broke his neck last summer while playing with his daughters on a backyard trampolene. Formerly a construction worker, Lopez had no health insurance when the accident occurred. He receives home health care visits from Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency, a non-profit that performs some 25,000 home visits each year in the Denver area. It provides free home nursing care to patients with chronic diseases, helps them to better manage their disabling illnesses and provides custodial services with the aim of keeping patients in their homes and out of more expensive nursing home care.

LAKEWOOD, CO - NOVEMBER 09: Miguel Lopez (R), largely paralyzed from the chest down, turns himself in bed as personal care provider Mary Gordillo helps him into his wheelchair at his home on November 9, 2009 in Lakewood, Colorado. Lopez, a Mexican immigrant whose three children were born in the United States and are American citizens, broke his neck last summer while playing with his daughters on a backyard trampoline. Formerly a construction worker, Lopez had no health insurance when the accident occurred. He receives home health care visits from Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency, a non-profit that performs some 25,000 home visits each year in the Denver area. It provides free home nursing care to patients with chronic diseases, helps them to better manage their disabling illnesses and provides custodial services with the aim of keeping patients in their homes and out of more expensive nursing home care.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 03: A small business owner wears a button advocating health care reform at a news conference on health care legislation and its impact on small businesses on November 3, 2009 in Washington, DC. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) were joined by nearly one hundred small business owners from around the country.

DENVER - NOVEMBER 09: Carlos Granillo, 31, is embraced by his sons in his bed at home on November 9, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Granillo, an immigrant from Mexico, suffered severe brain damage in a jet ski accident in July and received emergency medical care at a hospital emergency room. He was working as a construction worker without health insurance when the accident occurred. He receives home health care visits from Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency, a non-profit that performs some 25,000 home visits each year in the Denver area. The agency provides free home nursing care to patients with chronic diseases, helps them to better manage their disabling illnesses and provides custodial services with the aim of keeping patients in their homes and out of more expensive nursing home care.

DENVER - NOVEMBER 09: Miguel Lopez, largely paralyzed from the chest down, is bathed by personal care provider Mary Gordillo while in his bed at home on November 9, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Lopez, a Mexican immigrant whose three children were born in the United States and are American citizens, broke his neck last summer while playing with his daughters on a backyard trampolene. Formerly a construction worker, Lopez had no health insurance when the accident occurred. He receives home health care visits from Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency, a non-profit that performs some 25,000 home visits each year in the Denver area. It provides free home nursing care to patients with chronic diseases, helps them to better manage their disabling illnesses and provides custodial services with the aim of keeping patients in their homes and out of more expensive nursing home care.

DENVER - NOVEMBER 09: Miguel Lopez, largely paralyzed from the chest down, lies in his bed at home on November 9, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Lopez, a Mexican immigrant whose three children were born in the United States and are American citizens, broke his neck last summer while playing with his daughters on a backyard trampolene. Formerly a construction worker, Lopez had no health insurance when the accident occurred. He receives home health care visits from Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency, a non-profit that performs some 25,000 home visits each year in the Denver area. It provides free home nursing care to patients with chronic diseases, helps them to better manage their disabling illnesses and provides custodial services with the aim of keeping patients in their homes and out of more expensive nursing home care.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan shows on November 9, 2009 a report 'Women and Health' during its presentation to the press at WHO headquarters in Geneva. The report underlines that women are particularly vulnerable to a lack of adequate care in old age -- when they often outlive men -- and in their adolescence.

French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot gets an H1N1 flu vaccine on November 12, 2009 in Paris as French health authority began today a mass vaccination campaign to combat swine flu. France has ordered 94 million doses of vaccine in response to the A(H1N1) pandemic.

Kuwaiti Health Minister Helal al-Sayer (R) holds a vial of swine flu or influenza A(H1N1) vaccine at the health ministry in Kuwait City on November 1, 2009. Kuwait has taken delivery of 145,000 vaccines and plans to start vaccinating selected groups, including young schoolchildren and those planning to perform the annual pilgrimage to the Muslim holy places in Saudi Arabia. The Gulf emirate has reported 16 deaths from the A(H1N1) virus.

Kuwaiti Health Minister Helal al-Sayer (R) is vaccinated against swine flu or influenza A(H1N1) at the health ministry in Kuwait City on November 1, 2009. Kuwait has taken delivery of 145,000 vaccines and plans to start vaccinating selected groups, including young schoolchildren and those planning to perform the annual pilgrimage to the Muslim holy places in Saudi Arabia. The Gulf emirate has reported 16 deaths from the A(H1N1) virus.

French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot arrives to get an H1N1 flu vaccine on November 12, 2009 in Paris as French health authority began today a mass vaccination campaign to combat swine flu. France has ordered 94 million doses of vaccine in response to the A(H1N1) pandemic.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan listens to questions during her presentation to the media of a WHO report 'Women and Health' at the WHO headquarters on November 9, 2009 in Geneva. The report underlined that women were particularly vulnerable to a lack of adequate care in old age -- when they often outlive men -- and in their adolescence.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan shows a report 'Women and Health' during its presentation to the media at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on November 9, 2009. The report underlined that women were particularly vulnerable to a lack of adequate care in old age -- when they often outlive men -- and in their adolescence.

French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot (L) arrives to get an H1N1 flu vaccine on November 12, 2009 in Paris as French health authority began today a mass vaccination campaign to combat swine flu. France has ordered 94 million doses of vaccine in response to the A(H1N1) pandemic.

French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot gets an H1N1 flu vaccine on November 12, 2009 in Paris as French health authority began today a mass vaccination campaign to combat swine flu. France has ordered 94 million doses of vaccine in response to the A(H1N1) pandemic.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan gestures during a media presentation of a WHO report 'Women and Health' at the WHO headquarters on November 9, 2009 in Geneva. The report underlined that women were particularly vulnerable to a lack of adequate care in old age -- when they often outlive men -- and in their adolescence.

French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot gets an H1N1 flu vaccine on November 12, 2009 in Paris as French health authority began today a mass vaccination campaign to combat swine flu. France has ordered 94 million doses of vaccine in response to the A(H1N1) pandemic.

French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot answers journalists's questions after she got an H1N1 flu vaccine on November 12, 2009 in Paris as French health authority began today a mass vaccination campaign to combat swine flu. France has ordered 94 million doses of vaccine in response to the A(H1N1) pandemic.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan arrives for a media presentation of a WHO report 'Women and Health' at the WHO headquarters on November 9, 2009 in Geneva. The report underlined that women were particularly vulnerable to a lack of adequate care in old age -- when they often outlive men -- and in their adolescence.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan shows on November 9, 2009 a report 'Women and Health' during its presentation to the press at WHO headquarters in Geneva. The report underlines that women are particularly vulnerable to a lack of adequate care in old age -- when they often outlive men -- and in their adolescence.

A member of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer, in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on US President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

A member of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

Doctor Matt Hendrickson from the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

Members of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' stage a sit-in to protest healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

Doctor Matt Hendrickson (2nd left) and members of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' stage a sit-in to protest healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

A member of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

A member of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

A member of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

A member of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

Members of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' stage a sit-in to protest healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

Members of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' stage a sit-in to protest healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

Members of the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' protest for healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.

Doctor Matt Hendrickson from the group 'Mobilize for Health Care' is arrested by police after protesting to demand healthcare reform at the offices of CIGNA Insurance, a major US health insurer in Los Angeles on October 28, 2009. Seven members of the group were arrested after they staged a one hour sit-in protest in the lobby of the building housing CIGNA Insurance. Powerful US insurers recently turned on President Barack Obama's top priority health care reform drive, warning the plan would send family medical expenses soaring. Obama has wagered huge political capital on the fight to pass health reform, and to offer affordable care to 46 million people in the United States with no insurance.