Global health in 2011: key issues

27 December 2011 -- In 2011, there was important progress in a number of areas, particularly in AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – all indicated fewer deaths and fewer new infections. The first World report on disability, launched in 2011, revealed some of the barriers faced by over a billion people with disabilities in their daily lives. However, natural disasters and conflict took their toll, such as the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant damage in Japan. This photo feature presents a selection of some of the major health issues in 2011.

19 December 2011 -- Lesotho has one of the highest rates of new tuberculosis (TB) cases in the world. The lack of health-care facilities in remote areas makes it hard for people with TB to get tested and treated, so the disease spreads quickly through communities. This photo story illustrates the difficulties and ways to overcome them and bring medicine to rural Lesotho.

• Read the photo story on TB
• More on TB

13 December 2011 -- Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25% globally since 2000 according to the World malaria report 2011, issued today. This is the result of a significant scaling-up of malaria prevention and control measures in the last decade, including the widespread use of bed nets, better diagnostics and a wider availability of effective medicines to treat malaria.

• Read the press release on the World malaria report 2011
• More information on malaria