California Becomes First State to Join WHO Disease Network After US Exit

Following the United States’ formal withdrawal from the World Health Organization, California has become the first U.S. state to join the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a global partnership focused on detecting and responding to infectious disease threats. The move positions California to collaborate directly with international public health experts on outbreak preparedness, surveillance, and rapid response.

State leaders framed the decision as a way to maintain global health connections and strengthen emergency readiness amid shifting federal policy. The announcement underscores how subnational governments may seek alternative pathways to engage in global disease monitoring and coordination during periods of federal disengagement. Read more from The Hill here.