INTERNATIONAL
New York City joins UN health network after Trump withdrew US from WHO
The skyline of Lower Manhattan is seen at dawn from across the Hudson River in New York City, US. - REUTERS
WASHINGTON: The New York City Health Department on Wednesday said it has joined the World Health Organization's global outbreak response network following President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the U.S. from the U.N. health agency.
AI Brief
WHY'S IMPORTANT
Following the Republican president's decision to pull the U.S. out of the WHO, some Democratic leaders have made their regions join the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) in defiance of Trump. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been critical of the president's policies.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, both Democrats, have also said their states will join the WHO's global outbreak response network. The network responds to public health events around the world, such as pandemics and disease outbreaks, and comprises of more than 360 technical institutions.
KEY QUOTES
"By joining GOARN, New York City gains access to a global network of over 360 institutions and organizations that respond to acute public health events with the deployment of staff and resources to affected countries," the NYC Health Department said in a statement.
"Infectious diseases know no boundaries, and nor should the information and resources that help us protect New Yorkers," New York City Acting Health Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer Michelle Morse added.
CONTEXT
The U.S. formally left the WHO last month after completing a one-year waiting period following an executive order that Trump signed in January 2025.
Since taking office, Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from dozens of global and U.N. entities, saying they do not benefit Washington. His steps have been condemned by health and human rights experts.
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AI Brief
- After the US formally exited the WHO, Democratic-led states like New York, California and Illinois joined the WHO's GOARN network independently.
- Local officials say GOARN membership gives access to global outbreak expertise and resources to strengthen public health protection.
- Trump's broader withdrawal from global organisations has drawn criticism from health and human rights experts.
WHY'S IMPORTANT
Following the Republican president's decision to pull the U.S. out of the WHO, some Democratic leaders have made their regions join the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) in defiance of Trump. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been critical of the president's policies.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, both Democrats, have also said their states will join the WHO's global outbreak response network. The network responds to public health events around the world, such as pandemics and disease outbreaks, and comprises of more than 360 technical institutions.
KEY QUOTES
"By joining GOARN, New York City gains access to a global network of over 360 institutions and organizations that respond to acute public health events with the deployment of staff and resources to affected countries," the NYC Health Department said in a statement.
"Infectious diseases know no boundaries, and nor should the information and resources that help us protect New Yorkers," New York City Acting Health Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer Michelle Morse added.
CONTEXT
The U.S. formally left the WHO last month after completing a one-year waiting period following an executive order that Trump signed in January 2025.
Since taking office, Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from dozens of global and U.N. entities, saying they do not benefit Washington. His steps have been condemned by health and human rights experts.
Your gateway to global news, insights, and stories that matter.