New York City has taken a bold step by officially joining the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) under the World Health Organization (WHO), despite the United States withdrawing from the UN health agency under President Donald Trump.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also criticized Trump's policies.
The decision comes as the world continues to face the threat of a disease outbreak that can spread regardless of national borders.
According to the New York City Department of Health, joining GOARN gives the city access to a global network of more than 360 international health institutions and organizations specialized in responding to public health crises and infectious disease outbreaks.
New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse stressed that infectious diseases know no borders, so sharing information and resources globally is essential to protecting the city's residents.
The move is also seen as a clear political stance against Trump's policies, which previously pulled the United States out of the WHO on the grounds that it was not beneficial to Washington.
New York City is not alone in taking a different tack.
The states of California and Illinois, each led by Democratic leaders, have also announced their participation in the same network, reflecting the division of approaches between the federal and local governments on global health issues.
The United States officially withdrew from the WHO last month after completing a one-year waiting period since the executive order was signed in January 2025.
The move drew widespread criticism from health and human rights experts, who warned that isolation from global cooperation could weaken preparedness for future pandemics.
In an increasingly interconnected world, New York City’s move sends a clear message that public health security requires global cooperation, even in the face of political pressure at the national level.
