2014's top global health stories — and what they have to do with health workers

As 2014 comes to an end, the international development community stands on the cusp of major new progress, particularly in global health and development — but the war and disease that marked this year could hinder that progress for decades to come. Health workers labored on the front lines of some of 2014’s most prominent events, which will likely affect global health and the well-being for all 7 billion of us as we move into 2015 and beyond. So let's take a look back at some of 2014’s biggest global health and development stories. Some good, some bad, all illuminating as we enter the new year.

5. The world has gotten younger.

Today over 2.9 billion people — nearly half the world’s population — are under the age of 25.