How California is Engaging with the World Health Organization in a New Era of Public Health
In an era increasingly defined by global health threats from pandemics to climate-exacerbated disease burdens the World Health Organization (WHO) remains the primary international body for coordinating health security, disease prevention, and response. Traditionally, WHO membership and formal engagement have occurred at the level of sovereign nations. However, recent developments show a shift toward subnational participation in global health networks, with California at the forefront of this transformation.
Understanding the World Health Organization
Founded in 1948, the WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations tasked with “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.” It works with national governments to deliver essential health services, coordinate responses to outbreaks, publish guidelines on vaccines and treatment, and build capacity for health systems worldwide.
The United States was a founding member of the WHO and remained one of its most significant contributors for decades, shaping global health policy and supporting research, disease surveillance, and emergency response infrastructure. Yet recent political shifts have changed the nature of this engagement.
A Shifting Landscape: U.S. Withdrawal from WHO
In early 2026, the U.S. federal government formally withdrew from the World Health Organization, ending more than 70 years of membership. Critics of the decision argued it would weaken U.S. influence in global health policy and undermine the ability to access timely outbreak information and technical collaboration. Supporters of withdrawal cited concerns about organizational reform and sovereignty. Whatever one’s view, the move marked a watershed moment in American public health diplomacy.
California’s Historic Step: Joining WHO’s Outbreak Network
Just one day after the U.S. completed its exit, California announced that it would become the first U.S. state to join a WHO coordinated global health network the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).
GOARN isn’t the WHO itself. Instead, it’s a collaboration of public health institutions, laboratories, academic centers, and response organizations designed to rapidly detect, assess, and respond to emerging health threats from novel respiratory viruses to antimicrobial resistance. Through GOARN, participants can share surveillance data, access international technical expertise, and join coordinated response efforts.
By becoming part of this network, California’s Department of Public Health positions the state at the cutting edge of global disease monitoring even as the federal government stands apart. Governor Gavin Newsom framed the decision as a commitment to science and global cooperation at a time of federal disengagement from international health institutions.
What California’s Participation Means in Practice
California’s step marks a notable shift in how subnational governments can engage in global public health:
Direct Surveillance Access
By linking into GOARN, California can receive outbreak alerts and technical guidance in real time an advantage during rapidly evolving situations such as emerging infectious diseases. This connection helps health officials anticipate and prepare for threats weeks or months before they might otherwise appear domestically.Stronger Public Health Partnerships
California’s GOARN membership creates opportunities for researchers, universities, and laboratories in the state to collaborate directly with international partners on disease modeling, vaccine development, and outbreak response strategies. Such networks can also advance research into environmental health, antimicrobial resistance, and other cross-border issues.A Model for Subnational Global Health Engagement
While U.S. states cannot be formal WHO members like countries, California’s action shows how subnational entities can participate meaningfully in global health security networks. This could inspire other states or regions to pursue similar collaborations or independent agreements with international health bodies.
California’s Broader Public Health Strategy
California’s engagement with WHO mechanisms isn’t happening in isolation. The state has simultaneously pursued other initiatives to strengthen its public health infrastructure and scientific credibility:
West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA): A coalition of California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii formed to issue unified, science-based vaccine guidance and public health recommendations independent of federal decision-making.
Governors Public Health Alliance: California joined other states in a bipartisan alliance to share best practices, coordinate emergency preparedness, and ensure consistent public health responses across jurisdictions.
Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX): A California-led initiative aimed at modernizing public health infrastructure, incorporating cutting-edge data systems and communication strategies to improve disease monitoring and community engagement.
These efforts reflect California’s commitment to science-driven policies and readiness to fill gaps created by federal disengagement from established public health norms.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges
California’s integration into a WHO-coordinated outbreak network opens both opportunities and questions:
Advantages
Enhanced Early Warning Systems: Direct access to global surveillance data may reduce response times and improve preparedness for future pandemics or regional outbreaks.
International Collaboration: Local researchers and health departments can work alongside global peers, sharing insights and innovations that benefit Californians and the world.
Public Trust and Transparency: State leadership in science-based public health strategy may reinforce community trust particularly among populations wary of politicized health messaging.
Challenges
Legal and Constitutional Limits: U.S. states cannot enter international treaties or become full members of bodies like the WHO. California’s participation in WHO-linked networks must remain within these legal boundaries.
Federal-State Coordination: Divergences between state engagement and federal policy could complicate national cohesion during multi-jurisdictional health emergencies.
Resource Allocation: Sustaining high levels of global collaboration requires investment in infrastructure, workforce training, and data systems areas where many public health agencies are already stretched thin.
Conclusion: California’s Public Health Vision in a Globalized World
California’s decision to join the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network at a moment when the United States as a nation stepped back illustrates the evolving dynamics of global health engagement. By embracing international collaboration at the state level, California is not only safeguarding its residents but also reimagining how subnational actors can contribute to global health security.
For a state that is home to cutting-edge research institutions, diverse communities, and a population exceeding that of many nations, this leadership reflects both necessity and opportunity. Whether other states follow suit, or whether this represents a new paradigm in global public health cooperation, remains an open question but California’s actions signal that in today’s interconnected world, public health truly knows no borders.
References
Newsom, G. (2026, January 23). Governor Newsom meets with World Health Organization Director-General, announces California becomes first state to join WHO-coordinated international network. Governor Gavin Newsom.
Xinhua. (2026). California becomes 1st U.S. state to join WHO disease network. English--People's Daily Online.
