US States & NYC Partner With WHO After Federal Withdrawal

Following the United States’ formal withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2026, several U.S. States and cities are establishing direct partnerships with the organization to maintain access to critical global health information and bolster their own public health preparedness. This move underscores a commitment to international collaboration in addressing infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies, even as the federal government has stepped back from the WHO.

States and Cities Take Initiative

California, Illinois, New York, and New York City have all joined the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), an international system designed to coordinate responses to outbreaks of disease. GOARN brings together over 300 public health institutions, governments, academic centers, laboratories, and response organizations worldwide. Membership provides access to early-warning alerts, outbreak intelligence, and opportunities for training and collaborative exercises.

California was the first state to formally align with a WHO platform, following a meeting between Governor Gavin Newsom and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva. Governor Newsom stated that the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the WHO was a reckless decision that will hurt all Californians and Americans, and emphasized California’s commitment to mitigating the potential consequences. Illinois followed suit, with Governor J.B. Pritzker asserting that the withdrawal undermined science and weakened our nation’s ability to detect and respond to global health threats.

On February 5, New York City became the first municipality in the United States to join GOARN. City health authorities emphasized the importance of this partnership in countering new pathogens and emerging outbreaks. The decision reflects a broader trend of U.S. Agencies seeking to work with the WHO despite the federal government’s withdrawal, alongside continued cuts to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Maintaining Collaboration Despite Federal Withdrawal

While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the completion of the legal withdrawal process on January 22, 2026, ending both membership and funding contributions, the CDC continues to maintain active ties to the same international infrastructure as the WHO. This ongoing collaboration, alongside the initiatives taken by individual states and cities, suggests a desire to preserve crucial lines of communication and cooperation in global health security.

The WHO responded to the U.S. Withdrawal by stating that the decision makes both the United States and the world less safe, while also expressing hope for a future return to the organization. The actions taken by California, Illinois, New York, and New York City can be seen as a proactive effort to fill the gap created by the federal government’s absence, ensuring continued access to vital outbreak intelligence and response capabilities.

Implications for Public Health Security

The establishment of these direct partnerships between states and cities and the WHO is particularly relevant as the United States, along with Mexico and Canada, prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event is expected to draw over a million visitors to Greater New York alone, increasing the potential risk of imported infectious diseases. Access to the WHO’s early-warning systems and outbreak response expertise will be crucial for safeguarding public health during this period.

GOARN’s function is to rapidly detect and respond to public health threats and emergencies. The network facilitates the sharing of information, resources, and expertise among its members, enabling a coordinated and effective response to outbreaks. By joining GOARN, these U.S. Jurisdictions are positioning themselves to benefit from this collaborative network and contribute to global health security.

The moves by these states and cities highlight a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of global health and the importance of international cooperation in addressing public health challenges. Despite political shifts at the federal level, these local initiatives demonstrate a continued commitment to protecting the health and well-being of their residents through collaboration with international organizations like the WHO.

The ongoing cooperation between the CDC and the WHO, alongside the actions of these states and cities, suggests a multi-faceted approach to maintaining public health security in the wake of the U.S. Withdrawal. This layered strategy aims to ensure that the United States remains equipped to detect, prevent, and respond to emerging health threats, regardless of the federal government’s formal role within the WHO.