The New York State Department of Health has joined the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. This move is intended to strengthen New York’s role in global public health preparedness and response.
Governor Hochul stated, “New York has always led in public health and safety and now we’re doing our part to protect lives while the federal government puts Americans’ health at risk. By joining GOARN, we’re sharing our expertise, laboratories and highly skilled workforce to detect and respond to outbreaks worldwide while helping prevent global health threats from reaching New York State and the United States. Protecting New Yorkers means protecting communities everywhere — I’ll always stand up for the health and safety of our state and country.”
This announcement comes after the Trump Administration withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization in January, a decision that affected national readiness for future pandemics.
Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner, commented on the partnership: “Joining GOARN shows New York’s commitment to fast, coordinated responses to public health threats. Through this partnership, we will share our expertise, provide laboratory support, strengthen infection control and help manage public health emergencies worldwide.”
GOARN is a network coordinated by WHO that brings together over 300 technical institutions globally. The network provides rapid outbreak detection, verification, and response services, as well as technical expertise and laboratory capacity to help countries address public health threats.
The New York State Department of Health was established in 1901 and is among the oldest state health departments in the U.S. It oversees areas such as disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, environmental health, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, and healthcare facility regulation. The department’s Wadsworth Center offers advanced diagnostic testing and genomic sequencing services that will now contribute internationally through GOARN.
Through this new collaboration with GOARN, New York will offer technical assistance for capacity-building initiatives abroad, support risk communication efforts, and coordinate with international partners in public health. The partnership also aims to give New York earlier access to global outbreak intelligence and opportunities for its workforce to gain real-world response experience.
Governor Hochul has emphasized her administration’s ongoing commitment to public health during recent federal policy changes. In September 2025 she signed an executive order ensuring all residents have access to updated COVID-19 vaccines for 2025–26. The following month she joined a coalition called the Governors Public Health Alliance designed to safeguard public health across states by fostering cooperation among governors and global leaders.
In January 2026 the Department of Health endorsed a childhood immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that covers protection against 18 diseases such as RSV, hepatitis A & B, rotavirus, influenza, and meningococcal disease.