US withdrawal from WHO is unlawful and threatens global and US health and security

Gostin, Lawrence O.; Koh, Harold Hongju; Williams, Michelle A.; Hamburg, Margaret A.; Benjamin, Georges C.; Foege, William H.; Davidson, Patricia M.; Bradley, Elizabeth H.; Barry, Michèle; Koplan, Jeffrey P.; Periago, Mirta Flia Roses; Sadr, Wafaa El; Kurth, Ann; Vermund, Sten H.; Kavanagh, Matthew M.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31527-0

Cited by 36 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…Multilateral, international agencies can play a critical role in times of global crisis, but their achievements, or rather lack thereof, in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic were best described by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who said it was a failed test of international cooperation [26]. Instead of the WHO rising to the occasion, its mandate to coordinate a global public health response, to act as an information repository providing knowledge to countries worldwide, and to facilitate international agreements has been diminished as countries have refused to comply [27].…”

Section: Limited Collaboration and Coordination Between Policy Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparing for Crises: Lessons from Covid-19

Das¹,

Khan²,

Khwaja³

et al. 2021

LSE Public Policy Review

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The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis for governments across the globe. Despite a timely and effective mobilization of resources, consistent challenges hampered the efforts of many governments and resulted in avoidable losses. With the benefit of hindsight, we focus on two root causes behind the deficiencies in the global Covid-19 response: (i) challenges in collaboration and coordination between multiple actors and (ii) challenges in using existing data infrastructure to inform an evidence driven and dynamic policy response. We argue that adopting an active learning mindset, putting in place protocols and mechanisms for greater coordination and collaboration, and preparing a robust data infrastructure will help governments improve their responses to Covid-19 and other emergencies in the future.

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Section: Limited Collaboration and Coordination Between Policy Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparing for Crises: Lessons from Covid-19

Das¹,

Khan²,

Khwaja³

et al. 2021

LSE Public Policy Review

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“…15 In 2020, President Trump withdrew financial support and terminated US membership in the WHO despite an ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a decision opposed by more than 750 US health and legal experts who advised that this action was unlawful and would harm national health and security interests. 16 These events presented an opportunity for the WHO leadership to potentially disregard the US government's comments about the COI risk-assessment tool. Engagement takes many forms including institutional indifference or opposition.…”

Section: Star Trek's Characters Versus State and Non-state Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Star Trek Offers Insights That Illuminate Actor Engagement in Global Nutrition Governance Comment on "Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool"

Kraak

2020

Int J Health Policy Manag

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This commentary describes insights from Star Trek’s fictional television series to understand how state and non-state actors address conflicts of interest (COIs) through global nutrition governance. I examine the findings of Ralston and colleagues for 44 state and non-state actors who responded to the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) consultation for a COI risk-assessment tool, developed for member states to engage effectively with non-state actors to address malnutrition in all forms. Star Trek reveals that actor engagement is inevitable in a shared universe. The Prime Directive is a non-interference principle reflecting a moral commitment to reduce harm, respect autonomy and protect rights. Engagement principles are relevant to all actors who influence nutrition policies and programs, and must be held accountable when their actions undermine healthy and sustainable food systems. Certain actors use COI to justify non-engagement with commercial actors yet competing interests, biases, corruption and regulatory capture are distinct challenges to manage. Finally, Star Trek’s characters serve as allegories to understand actors’ motives and actions to promote healthy and sustainable food systems. Unlike non-state actors, states are legally required to achieve their commitments and targets in the United Nations’ (UN) Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Agenda.

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“…Maintaining US participation in multi-lateral public health enterprises such as the World Health Organization and strengthening US-supported collaborations on epidemiologic surveillance of emerging infections and other health threats enable efficiencies in detection and effectiveness in implementing interventions to control pandemics and other global public health emergencies. 13 , 14 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%