High-level Consultation on the Financial and Economic Crisis and Global Health

Date: 19 January 2009
Place: Geneva, Switzerland

To address the growing concerns about the potential impact of the financial and economic crisis on global health, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan convened a high-level consultation on 19 January 2009. Participants of the consultation included delegates from Member States, civil society, private sector, international organizations and the media.

Based on evidence from previous economic crises, the consultation aimed to:

• build awareness of the possible ways in which an economic downturn may have impact on health spending, health services and health outcomes;
• make the case to a wider audience for sustaining investment in health; and
• identify actions -- including monitoring of early warning signs -- that can help mitigate the negative impact of economic downturns.