A growing number of U.S. states are moving to join the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), strengthening international public health partnerships in the wake of the federal government’s withdrawal from the United Nations health agency.
On Feb. 17, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced that Wisconsin will become part of the WHO-led network, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting public health.
“We must do what we can to keep our kids, our families, and our communities healthy and safe,” Evers said during his State of the State address. “It’s as simple as that.”
The announcement comes amid continued political debate over engagement with the WHO. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), who is running to succeed the term-limited governor, said he would withdraw Wisconsin from any WHO-affiliated network if elected.
“During COVID, the WHO acted as a puppet for Communist China,” Tiffany said in a post on X. “I led the fight in Congress against the WHO pandemic treaty and will always defend Wisconsin and America’s sovereignty.”
The state-level actions follow President Donald Trump’s 2025 directive for the United States to exit the WHO, citing concerns over the agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and resistance to reform. The U.S. formally withdrew in January.
In a joint statement, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision “responds to the WHO’s failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rectify the harm from those failures inflicted on the American people.”
Despite the federal withdrawal, several states have moved swiftly to establish direct ties with the WHO’s global response network, which the agency says enables rapid identification, confirmation, and response to public health emergencies worldwide.
California became the first state to join GOARN following the U.S. exit. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the move would ensure California remains at the forefront of public health preparedness.
“We will continue to foster partnerships across the globe and remain at the forefront of public health preparedness,” Newsom said.
Officials in Illinois and New York City also confirmed plans to participate in the network in early February. Shortly thereafter, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New York had formally joined, citing the importance of global outbreak detection and response.
On Feb. 13, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Colorado intends to become part of the partnership, underscoring the value of international data-sharing and scientific collaboration.
“Disease does not stop at the borders, and preparedness depends on timely information and partnerships,” Polis said in a statement. “Colorado is taking positive and immediate steps to ensure doctors and hospitals are better connected to global early-warning systems and scientific expertise so we can better protect Coloradans.”
In New Jersey, lawmakers have introduced legislation that would authorize the state Department of Health to participate in GOARN and other international public health initiatives. Supporters say the measure would enhance outbreak preparedness, situational awareness, workforce development, and coordination with domestic and international partners.
As states chart their own course in global public health engagement, the expanding participation in WHO’s response network signals a broader effort by state leaders to maintain international collaboration on disease surveillance and emergency response.
