New York City Joins WHO Network as U.S. Withdraws

City health authorities aim to counter new pathogens and emerging outbreaks through global partnership.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Two weeks after the Trump administration formally withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization, the New York City Health Department has joined a WHO network aimed at countering new pathogens and emerging outbreaks. The move represents the latest effort by New York's health authorities to forge their own alliances with health agencies elsewhere, even as the federal authorities withdraw from partnerships and scale back efforts to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.

Why it matters

The decision by New York City to join the WHO network highlights the growing divide between local and federal health authorities in the U.S. as the federal government scales back global health engagement. It also underscores how cities and states are taking more independent action to protect public health in their communities.

The details

The New York City Health Department will now participate in weekly meetings with over 300 other public health agencies and organizations in the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. This will allow the city to stay up-to-date on information about emerging health threats and outbreaks worldwide. It is unclear if the city will also send its own scientists to assist in responding to outbreaks globally.

  • On February 4, 2026, the New York City Health Department announced it was joining the WHO network.
  • Two weeks prior, the Trump administration formally withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization.

The players

New York City Health Department

The public health agency for New York City, with a $1.6 billion budget and over 7,000 employees.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The United Nations agency responsible for international public health.

Trump administration

The former presidential administration that formally withdrew the United States from the WHO.

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What they’re saying

“To best prevent disease outbreaks and public health emergencies and to protect New Yorkers and visitors from them, the N.Y.C. Health Department is joining hundreds of public health institutions worldwide that share critical public health information to support lifesaving prevention and response efforts.”

— Dr. Michelle Morse, Acting Health Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer, New York City (The New York Times)

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

— Dr. Michelle Morse, Acting Health Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer, New York City (The New York Times)

What’s next

The New York City Health Department plans to actively participate in weekly meetings with other members of the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network to share information and coordinate on emerging health threats.

The takeaway

New York City's decision to join the WHO's global health network demonstrates how local governments are increasingly taking independent action to protect public health, even as the federal government withdraws from international cooperation on pandemic preparedness and response.