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While during the most industrially effective decade the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company continued its traditional program of sound investment, it was, as always, responsive to the contemporary economic and social needs of the country. An analysis of the company’s investment portfolio shows how this attitude was translated into practice. A shortage of housing facilities at the end of the First World War led to a great expansion in building during the postwar decade.

The company financed the construction of residential and business buildings on a large scale, with the result that mortgage loans increased from slightly less than 35% of its total assets in 1910 to 45% in 1929. In addition, under a special enactment of the Legislature, the life insurance company (http://www.equote.com/li/term-life-insurance-quote.html) invested $7,000,000 in the construction of model housing accommodations for 2,125 families in Long Island City and Astoria, N. Y. This endeavor was almost unheard of in that time and day. The company’s donation to those low income areas is something that most companies of that era would have never been able to accomplish, let alone want to.

This was a successful pioneer effort to provide low cost housing for families of modest income. The company’s funds also aided the development of cities and the wider use of public utilities. In the latter field the company’s investments increased from almost nothing in 1919 to about 9% of its assets a decade later. During the First World War the Metropolitan aided the Governments of the United States and Canada through purchase of their bonds, and by the end of 1919 these securities formed 16% of the company’s investments.

In the course of the postwar decade these bonds were gradually paid off, and comprised only a little more than 2.5% of the portfolio in 1929. Railroad securities during the decade remained fairly constant and accounted for one fifth of the invested funds. The Metropolitan also contributed to the economic welfare of our agri

Health officials around the world say they are frustrated by the shortage of vaccine to protect against the H1N1 flu. The United States and other wealthy countries have promised to donate 10 percent of their supply to developing countries. But due to a global shortage, that has not happened yet.

Manufacturing the H1N1 vaccine

U.S. public health officials say there might not be enough H1N1 vaccine to meet the needs of the high risk population in the United States until December, and possibly not until January.

U.S.Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius says that will impact the timing of when the U.S. can donate vaccine to developing countries.

“The president clearly has made it clear that his priority is safety and security of American people, and immediately he also adds that we are a global partner, so we have joined now with 11 nations in terms of 10 percent of the vaccine will be available to developing countries,” Sebelius said.

The World Health Organization plans to distribute the H1N1 vaccine to 95 developing countries. Distribution was supposed to start in November.

The H1N1 intranasal vaccine, Boston, 09 Oct 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is not enough H1N1 vaccine available for everyone in the United States. And schools and clinics around the U.S. are experiencing the results of the shortage.