Illinois has joined California in a move to bolster pandemic preparedness by becoming the second U.S. state to participate in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). This action follows the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, which was completed in late January.
State Action Amid Federal Withdrawal
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the U.S. had ended its membership, governance participation, and funding contributions to the WHO. The WHO itself stated that the U.S. withdrawal “makes both the United States and the world less safe” and expressed hope for a future return. Despite this federal decision, Illinois and California are proactively engaging with the WHO’s network.
California initiated this state-level engagement last month, following a meeting between Governor Gavin Newsom and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced his state’s participation on Tuesday, stating a refusal to allow the federal withdrawal to weaken the nation’s ability to respond to global health threats.
Regional Collaboration on Health
These actions are part of a broader trend of states forming alliances to address health concerns. The West Coast Health Alliance, consisting of California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii, and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, including Connecticut, Maine, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont and Rhode Island, have been established. Additionally, the Governors Public Health Alliance aims to improve data sharing and vaccine access among participating states.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore noted that these alliances are forming because states feel they have been left to address health challenges “on their own.” While these coalitions currently consist of Democratic-led states, their stated goal is to promote unified, science-based policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network?
The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) is a partnership for the “rapid identification, confirmation of and response to public health emergencies of international importance,” according to the WHO.
Why did the U.S. withdraw from the WHO?
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the completion of the “legal withdrawal process, ending its membership, governance participation and funding contributions” to the WHO in late January.
What could happen next?
It is possible that other states may choose to join the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. It is also possible that the federal government could reconsider its relationship with the WHO in the future, though there is no indication of that at this time. The existing state coalitions could expand their scope and influence, potentially leading to a more fragmented approach to national public health policy.
As states increasingly take the lead on public health initiatives, how might this shift impact the overall coordination and effectiveness of pandemic preparedness efforts nationwide?
