“The action comes as a direct counter to Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the WHO.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state has become the first in the United States to formally join the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).
Newsom described the move as a direct response to President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the WHO.
In a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Newsom said California’s participation in the global health network aims to strengthen the state’s ability to respond to public health threats.
GOARN is a WHO-led collaboration of institutions and networks worldwide, designed to provide rapid response to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. By joining, California can work directly with international health experts, laboratories, and emergency response teams to detect and respond to outbreaks more effectively.
Newsom’s announcement comes amid renewed political debate in the U.S. over global health cooperation, particularly following Trump’s criticism of the WHO and his repeated moves to withdraw U.S. participation during his presidency. Public health experts say California’s decision could enhance early warning systems, improve outbreak preparedness, and strengthen information-sharing with global partners—even as federal engagement with international health bodies remains uncertain.
The governor did not provide detailed plans on how California will implement its GOARN participation but emphasized the state’s commitment to science-based public health policy and international cooperation.
California, the nation’s most populous state, has a history of taking independent positions on climate, immigration, and public health when federal policies conflict with state priorities. Newsom’s latest move continues this trend, signaling California’s intent to maintain global health ties despite shifting national priorities.
The announcement coincides with the U.S. officially completing its withdrawal from WHO on January 23, while still owing roughly $260 million in unpaid membership fees. Washington had been one of WHO’s largest contributors, but Trump grew openly hostile toward the organisation after the Covid-19 pandemic, citing mismanagement and political bias. Although Biden reversed Trump’s initial withdrawal in 2021, Trump signed a new executive order last year ending U.S. membership again.
Under a 1948 resolution authorizing U.S. membership, Washington must give one year’s notice and settle outstanding dues before withdrawal. While the notice requirement has been met, the $260.6 million in unpaid fees for the 2024–2025 budget cycle remain unsettled after Trump’s order halted all U.S. transactions with WHO.