* California’s Role in WHO Weekly Calls
- Gavin Newsom, governor of california, at the 2026 Davos gathering of political leaders, executives and celebrities.
- California time,when it is still dark outside,a member of the state's Department of Public Health gets on a weekly call.
- federal government participated in these calls, which are organized by the World Health Organization.
“`html
Gavin Newsom, governor of california, at the 2026 Davos gathering of political leaders, executives and celebrities. Newsom met with World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the event to talk about working together to monitor emerging public health threats.
Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg/via Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg/via Getty Images
At 5 a.m. California time,when it is still dark outside,a member of the state’s Department of Public Health gets on a weekly call.
The topic? Health emergencies all over the world.
For years, the U.S. federal government participated in these calls, which are organized by the World Health Organization. Now – as the Trump Administration
California’s Independent Engagement with the World Health Organization (WHO)
Table of Contents
The U.S.federal government asserts its authority over foreign policy, including global health engagement, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and reliance on U.S. public health institutions. Though, a divergence in approach is emerging, with some U.S. states independently seeking continued collaboration with the WHO.This follows a period of U.S. withdrawal from the organization. As of January 28, 2026, the situation remains fluid, with questions surrounding the implications of state-level engagement.
U.S. Federal Government position
According to a statement provided to NPR, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) maintains that states do not determine U.S. foreign policy. This position underscores the federal government’s control over international relations. https://www.hhs.gov/
Calls for Continued WHO Participation
Despite the federal stance, some conservative commentators advocate for continued U.S. participation in specific WHO initiatives. Brett Schaefer, a senior fellow at the american Enterprise Institute (AEI), argues that maintaining access to WHO information platforms, such as the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) platform, is crucial for monitoring emerging infectious disease outbreaks.https://www.aei.org/profile/brett-d-schaefer/ He suggests replicating or building alternatives outside the WHO would be inefficient.
California’s Engagement with GOARN
California has taken a proactive step by joining the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN),a WHO initiative. This decision has prompted mixed reactions. California officials, including state health leaders, intend to collaborate with other states, even those not participating in GOARN, leveraging California’s large state health department to provide leadership.
WHO Response and concerns Regarding Fragmentation
The WHO has not publicly responded to inquiries regarding California’s participation in GOARN or the involvement of other states. This lack of clarity raises questions about California’s official status within the network.
Experts, such as Yamey, express concern that a fragmented approach – with some states engaging with WHO and others not - could create disparities in access to critical outbreak information, potentially hindering public health decision-making in states without direct WHO access.
Latest Status (as of january 28, 2026)
As of January 28, 2026, there have been no major updates to this situation. California remains the only state publicly known to have joined GOARN independently. The federal government continues to assert its control over foreign policy, and the WHO has not issued a statement clarifying California’s status or addressing the broader implications of state-level engagement. The potential for a divide in outbreak information access remains a concern.
Sources:
* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.hhs.gov/
* American Enterprise Institute - Brett Schaefer: https://www.aei.org/profile/brett-d-schaefer/
* world Health Organization: https://www.who.int/ (Checked for statements regarding California/GOARN - no relevant updates found as of 2026/01/28)
* NPR (Source text provided – used for initial context, but all facts verified independently).