New York City joins UN health network after Trump withdrew US from WHO

New York City Health Department has joined the WHO's global outbreak response network following Trump's withdrawal of the US from the UN health agency.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The New York City Health Department has announced that it has joined the World Health Organization's global outbreak response network, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), after former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the WHO. This move by New York City comes in defiance of Trump's decision and follows similar actions by other Democratic-led states like California and Illinois.

Why it matters

The decision by New York City to join the WHO's global health network is a direct response to the Trump administration's withdrawal from the WHO. It highlights the growing divide between Democratic-led regions and the former Republican president's policies, with local governments taking matters into their own hands when it comes to public health and global cooperation.

The details

The New York City Health Department stated that by joining GOARN, the city will gain access to a global network of over 360 institutions and organizations that respond to public health emergencies around the world. This will allow New York to better coordinate and access resources in the event of a disease outbreak or pandemic. The move was praised by New York City Acting Health Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer Michelle Morse, who said that 'Infectious diseases know no boundaries, and nor should the information and resources that help us protect New Yorkers'.

  • The U.S. formally left the WHO last month after completing a one-year waiting period following an executive order that Trump signed in January 2025.

The players

New York City Health Department

The public health agency for New York City that has joined the WHO's global outbreak response network in defiance of the Trump administration's withdrawal from the organization.

Donald Trump

The former Republican president who signed an executive order in January 2025 to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who has been critical of former President Trump's policies.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California who has said the state will join the WHO's global outbreak response network.

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois who has also said the state will join the WHO's global outbreak response network.

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What they’re saying

“By joining GOARN, New York City gains access to a global network of over 360 institutions and organizations that respond to acute public health events with the deployment of staff and resources to affected countries.”

— New York City Health Department (ksgf.com)

“Infectious diseases know no boundaries, and nor should the information and resources that help us protect New Yorkers.”

— Michelle Morse, New York City Acting Health Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer (ksgf.com)

The takeaway

The decision by New York City to join the WHO's global health network despite the Trump administration's withdrawal from the organization highlights the growing divide between Democratic-led regions and the former president's policies. It demonstrates how local governments are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to public health and global cooperation, underscoring the importance of international coordination in addressing infectious disease outbreaks.