A lot is happening on the global health stage right now. We’ve all heard about the Pandemic Treaty, but there’s a document already in place that’s important for us to watch as well: the International Health Regulations (IHR).

The IHR spells out the rights and obligations of nations around the world, in public health, as well as the scope of WHO involvement. It was expanded greatly in 2005 -- most notably to create the ability for the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern anywhere on the globe. The current White House administration is leading the charge for yet another huge expansion of authority, power, and resources for the WHO by updating this document. The IHR is considered legally binding on all WHO members and its adoption or updates have never been presented to Congress for oversight. The White House is prepared to follow business as usual at this year’s World Health Assembly, unless Congress acts to check the overreach of the president.

In 2022, the U.S. proposed 11 amendments to the existing IHR. There was a massive public outcry, and it was determined at last year’s World Health Assembly that all but one of them would not be voted on at the time to gain more input from other countries and stakeholders.

The U.S.-proposed amendment that was adopted last year shortens the amount of time it takes to amend the documents.

Importantly, these amendments were not withdrawn. Over the last year, a WHO Working Group held six meetings to consider input from around the globe on how to amend the existing IHR. There are now over 300 proposed amendments that will be presented at the World Health Assembly in May 2023. No vote is currently scheduled and the WHO is reporting that there will be no vote until 2024. Click here to read the most recent SHF updates on those amendments, and the pandemic treaty.

The U.K. Parliament recently agreed to have a public debate on April 17, 2023, about the Pandemic Treaty, based on a petition from its citizens. But there’s no debate scheduled for the IHR yet, which will be amended to compliment the Treaty, unless elected officials start to wake up and intervene for health freedom on our behalf.

If you’re in the U.K., please follow the World Council for Health for updates and sign their petition in support of this debate. The petition must get to 100,000 signatures to trigger Parliament to schedule a debate based on public demand.

In the U.S., here's what you can do: 

1. Stay up to date by making sure you (and your friends) are on the SHF email list.
2. The SHF petition to lawmakers demanding oversight for the Pandemic Treaty is at 69,155 signatures at this writing. Can you help us tip past 70,000 today? Then send to your friends so we can reach that magic number of 100,000 signatures to send to our lawmakers here in the states showing our support.
3. Tell your U.S. representative it’s time to #ExitTheWHO by urging them to sign on to HR 79, the WHO Withdrawal Act. Taking action will also send a message to key lawmakers who have the ability to move this bill forward.

Stay tuned to SHF in the coming weeks for more updates and action items on the WHO as we get ready for World Health Assembly 76, May 21-30, 2023.

AB 665-OPPOSE

This bill would allow minors ages 12 and up to receive mental health treatment or counseling on an outpatient basis, or to residential shelter services, without parental permission.

SB 625-SUPPORT

This bill would authorize a parent or guardian of a minor child to consent to the storage of the residual blood sample and the use of the sample for research purposes prior to or at the time the sample is taken. The bill would prohibit any residual newborn screening specimen from being released to any person or entity for law enforcement purposes. Update:  Passed Senate Health Committee but for strategic reasons will be a two year bill.  (For more information, see California Health Coalition Advocacy).