In response to the United States’ formal exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), the states of Illinois and California have joined the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). The move comes after the U.S. completed its withdrawal process in January 2026 following an executive order by President Donald Trump in 2025.
The WHO’s GOARN is a coordinated international network of more than 360 technical institutions and public health organizations that work together to detect, verify, assess, and respond to emerging global health threats such as pandemics and disease outbreaks.
California, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, was the first state to join the network in January, stepping in to maintain ties with global health partners despite the federal retreat.
Illinois became the second state to join when Governor JB Pritzker announced his state’s participation in early February, emphasizing continued access to outbreak intelligence, expert resources, and international collaboration.
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Why States Joined GOARN
State leaders said that joining GOARN ensures their public health systems remain connected to critical information about disease threats and access to international early warning systems. Governor Pritzker criticized the federal withdrawal from the WHO, arguing it “undermines science and weakens the nation’s ability to detect and respond to global health threats.”
Participation in GOARN allows both Illinois and California to receive real-time outbreak alerts, risk assessments, training opportunities, and best-practice exchanges with counterparts around the world.
Public health officials have underscored that infectious diseases do not respect borders, and maintaining direct links with WHO-coordinated networks can strengthen preparedness and response capacity at the state level.
Broader Public Health Context
The U.S. departure from the WHO ended its role as a member state and the largest financial contributor, creating gaps in international health coordination. The federal decision has drawn criticism from health experts and leaders who argue it could hinder access to global disease data and collaborative responses to health emergencies.
Some local health officials and governors have also joined broader alliances to counterbalance federal policy changes, including multi-state public health coalitions aimed at sharing data and expertise across jurisdictions.
As independent participation in GOARN grows among U.S. states and cities, public health leaders say sustained engagement with the global health community remains crucial for tackling future outbreaks and health crises.
