January 23, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | News
California has become the first state in the United States to formally align with a World Health Organization (WHO) network, openly pushing back against President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the country from the global health body.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that California has joined the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a move he described as essential for safeguarding public health in the state amid rising global disease threats.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Newsom said the decision was a direct response to the federal government’s exit from the WHO.
“Countering Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization, California is the first American state to join the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network,” Newsom wrote.
“With WHOGOARN, we’ll keep working to help protect Californians from public health threats.”
GOARN is a WHO-led international collaboration that connects governments, laboratories, research institutions, and emergency response teams to detect, assess, and respond rapidly to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
By joining the network, California gains direct access to global disease surveillance systems, expert response teams, and international data-sharing mechanisms — strengthening its early-warning capacity and outbreak preparedness.
Public health experts say the move could significantly enhance California’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging health threats, even as US federal engagement with international health institutions remains uncertain.
Newsom did not disclose specific operational details of California’s participation but emphasized that the step reflects the state’s commitment to science-driven public health policies and global cooperation.
The announcement comes as political debate intensifies in Washington over international health partnerships. President Trump has long criticized the WHO, accusing it of bias and mismanagement, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, January 23, the United States officially completed its withdrawal from the WHO. However, media reports citing WHO estimates say Washington still owes approximately $260 million in unpaid membership dues.
Under a 1948 congressional resolution governing US membership in the WHO, the country is required to provide one year’s notice and clear all outstanding financial obligations before exiting. While the notice period has elapsed, WHO officials say the US failed to pay its dues for the 2024–2025 budget cycle.
Bloomberg and CNN reported on Thursday that the arrears remain unpaid following Trump’s executive order halting all US transactions with the organization.
As the most populous state in the US, California has frequently taken independent positions on climate policy, immigration, and public health when at odds with federal leadership. Newsom’s decision to join GOARN signals a renewed effort by the state to maintain international health partnerships despite shifting national priorities.
