The Role of the World Health Organization

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View the linked videos and respond to the related questions. When you have completed your
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Introduction:

Answer the following questions before watching the videos.

Pre-viewing questions:

What makes a disease a A disease is considered a pandemic when it spreads over a

pandemic? wide geographic area, affecting a significant number of
people. It typically involves sustained human-to-human
transmission across different regions or continents.

In what ways could a global
organization to address
pandemics be helpful?
A global organization dedicated to addressing pandemics can
provide coordination, surveillance, and response capabilities
on a worldwide scale. It can facilitate information sharing,
resource allocation, and collaboration among countries,
enhance preparedness and early detection, and support
research and development for diagnostics, treatments, and
vaccines.

What could be some potential Potential shortcomings of a global organization addressing

shortcomings? pandemics may include challenges in decision-making and
resource allocation due to diverse national interests and
priorities. There might be issues with ensuring equitable
access to resources and interventions, as well as difficulties
in coordinating efforts across various political and
bureaucratic systems. Additionally, the effectiveness of such
an organization may be dependent on the willingness of
countries to cooperate and share information openly.

Exploration:

Watch and take notes on the following videos to learn about the role of the World Health
Organization as well as arguments for and against how it operates. Use your notes for evidence
in your argument on how much support the United States should give the World Health
Organization.
Video Clip 1: Role of the World Health Organization (3:22)
What is the purpose of the
World Health Organization?
What are examples of what
the WHO has done?
Why is the role of the WHO
less involved now than at its
origin?
Video Clip 2: WHO Director General declares COVID-19 a Pandemic (2:55)
Why did WHO declare
The purpose of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to
promote global health, coordinate international health efforts,
provide leadership in health-related matters, set norms and
standards, conduct research, and provide technical
assistance to countries.
The WHO has undertaken various initiatives and campaigns
throughout its history, including:
 Malaria eradication campaign
 Smallpox eradication campaign
 Polio eradication efforts
 Tuberculosis control programs
 HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs
 Immunization campaigns
 Emergency response to disease outbreaks, such as
Ebola and COVID-19
 Development of global health policies and guidelines
The role of the WHO has become less involved over time due
to several factors:
 Decreased funding: The organization has faced
financial challenges and has become increasingly
underfunded, limiting its operational capacity.
 Emergence of other actors: The World Bank and
private philanthropies, like the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, have become more involved in global
health, leading to a more fragmented landscape.
 Shifting priorities: Global health initiatives have
expanded beyond the scope of the WHO, with new
challenges and stakeholders emerging, leading to a
more diverse set of actors involved in health-related
efforts.
 Evolving international dynamics: Political
considerations and changes in the global landscape
have influenced the level of engagement and support
for international organizations like the WHO.
The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic due to the
COVID-19 a pandemic?
What difference do you think
it makes if the WHO labels a
disease as a ‘pandemic’?
Video 3 The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Federal
Bureaucracy (5:52) – this video isn`t available, find the screen bellow
How does the United States
Government approach
preparation for infectious
diseases?
What specific diseases has
this part of the government
dealt with in the past?
How do the different health
organizations work together?
Video 4 China and the World Health Organization (4:01)
How does the World Health
Organization work?
According to Brett Schaeffer
of the Heritage Foundation,
how was this a problem with
China?
alarming levels of spread, severity, and the increasing
number of affected countries. They were deeply concerned
about the inaction and wanted to emphasize the seriousness
of the situation.
Labeling a disease as a 'pandemic' by the WHO signifies that
the disease has spread globally and is affecting multiple
regions. This declaration helps to raise awareness, mobilize
resources, and prompt countries to take urgent and
aggressive action to control the spread of the disease. It
serves as a call for increased preparedness, response, and
coordination at the global level.
The World Health Organization (WHO) relies on member
states for funding and information. It has a political
component and is governed by member states. The
organization's role includes conducting investigations,
gathering information, tracking potential pandemics, and
coordinating international responses.
According to Brett Schaeffer, China has a history of
concealing and denying information, which creates
complications for the WHO. China downplayed the threat of
the COVID-19 outbreak and the WHO relied on Chinese
 information, failing to question it despite evidence that China
was not transparent in the past during the SARS outbreak.
The WHO also disregarded information provided by Taiwan
about the potential pandemic and human-to-human
transmission. This reliance on Chinese statements and lack
of scrutiny from the WHO regarding China's actions has been
identified as a problem.

Video 5 Misinformation during Public Health Emergencies (2:47)

What are infomedics during Infodemics during pandemics refer to the widespread
pandemics? dissemination of misinformation and false information related
to the disease, causing confusion and potentially harmful
consequences.

What are some examples of
infodemics?
Some examples of infodemics include false claims about
miracle cures or preventive measures, conspiracy theories
about the origin of the virus, misinformation about
transmission methods, and misleading information about the
effectiveness of public health measures.

According to Reid Wilson, According to Reid Wilson, combating the dangers of

how do we combat the
dangers of misinformation
during pandemics?
misinformation during pandemics involves paying attention to
the actual experts who have knowledge about the virus, such
as public health officials and scientists. It is important to rely
on accurate information from trusted sources and avoid
spreading or believing in unverified claims.

Application:

Use your notes and any additional outside research to answer the following prompt.
President Trump cut funding to the WHO and President Biden renewed our membership.
Should the United States increase or decrease our support of the World Health Organization?
What makes you say that? (provide evidence)

Here are the reasons supporting this viewpoint:

1. Global Health Challenges: The WHO was established to address health problems
resulting from global crises and to improve health infrastructure in developing
countries. With the increasing globalization and interconnectedness of the world,
addressing global health challenges requires collaboration and coordination among
nations. By increasing support to the WHO, the United States can actively participate
in global health initiatives and contribute to efforts aimed at combating diseases and
improving healthcare worldwide.
2. WHO's Historical Role: The WHO has historically served as the primary global health
authority, conducting research, setting policies, and implementing on-the-ground
responses. While its capacity for on-the-ground response has diminished compared to
previous decades, it still plays a crucial role in defining pandemics and providing
directives. Increasing support to the WHO would help strengthen its ability to respond
effectively to global health emergencies and provide guidance to member states.
3. Funding Challenges: The WHO has faced funding challenges in recent years, which
have affected its operations and ability to respond to health emergencies. The United
States has been the largest contributor to the WHO's funding, and a decrease in
support can have a significant impact on its operations. By increasing support, the
United States can help ensure that the WHO has the necessary resources to fulfill its
mandate and effectively respond to global health crises.
4. International Cooperation: The WHO relies on member states for funding and
information. Increasing support to the WHO demonstrates a commitment to
international cooperation and collaboration in addressing global health challenges. It
sends a signal that the United States recognizes the importance of working together
with other nations to protect global health security and mitigate the impact of
pandemics.
5. Lessons Learned from COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the
importance of international cooperation and a strong global health infrastructure.
While there have been criticisms of the WHO's response to the pandemic, it is crucial
to address these concerns through constructive engagement and reform rather than
disengagement. By increasing support, the United States can actively participate in
shaping the future of the WHO and ensure that it is better equipped to respond to
future health emergencies.