In a bold move to protect its residents, the state of Illinois has joined the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) - a critical step in maintaining access to global health intelligence after the United States completed its withdrawal from the WHO earlier this year. What this really means is that Illinois is taking matters into its own hands to ensure its citizens are shielded from emerging health threats, even as the federal government abandons its role on the global stage.
Filling the Void Left by Washington
The bigger picture here is that Illinois is stepping up where the Trump administration has stepped back. By joining GOARN, the state will gain direct access to the WHO's worldwide disease surveillance and outbreak response systems - a vital lifeline that the U.S. government has now severed. As the Chicago Tribune reported, this move could prove crucial in detecting and responding to health crises like new COVID-19 variants, Ebola, and avian influenza that don't respect national borders.
Illinois has also convened a Global Health Advisory Committee of leading experts from the state's top universities to ensure it maintains access to the best available scientific insights and international intelligence on emerging threats. Additionally, the state has joined the Governors Public Health Alliance, a multi-state coalition focused on public health preparedness.
Protecting Illinoisans in a Dangerous New World
The bottom line is that Illinois is taking proactive steps to safeguard the health and safety of its residents in the face of the U.S. government's reckless decision to abandon the WHO. As Governor JB Pritzker stated, "Withdrawing from the World Health Organization is another reckless move by the Trump Administration that puts lives at risk." By joining GOARN and building its own global health infrastructure, Illinois is ensuring it won't be left in the dark when the next pandemic strikes.