What is the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in global health?

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in global health by coordinating international public health efforts. This function involves bringing together member states and various stakeholders to address health issues that cross national boundaries, such as infectious diseases, pandemics, and health system strengthening. The WHO facilitates collaboration, provides technical assistance, and sets normative standards and guidelines that countries can adopt to improve health outcomes.

This coordination is especially important during global health emergencies, as it enables a unified response to outbreaks and ensures that resources and information are shared effectively among countries. The WHO also conducts research, monitors health trends, and provides a platform for knowledge exchange among health professionals and governments, which further supports its mission of promoting health, keeping the world safe, and serving vulnerable populations.

The other options reflect concepts that are not aligned with the WHO’s mission. Enforcing national health laws is the responsibility of individual countries, not an international organization like the WHO. Providing funding for healthcare facilities may be a part of some WHO initiatives, but the organization itself primarily focuses on coordination rather than direct funding. Lastly, the WHO advocates for universal health coverage and public health systems, not privatization of health services, as its aim is to ensure health equity and access for all.