Empowered by Information: Disease Outbreak Reporting at the World Health Organization

"Empowered by Information: Disease Outbreak Reporting at the World Health Organization" by Zoe Xincheng Ge (New York University)

Abstract: International organizations (IOs) can use information dissemination to induce deeper cooperation from states. I investigate the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in facilitating states’ cooperation with the outbreak reporting. States may be reluctant to share outbreak information to avoid border restrictions imposed by the international community. After the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak, the WHO was authorized by the International Health Regulations reform to disseminate outbreak information without states’ consent. When states’ attempts to conceal outbreaks lead to border restrictions triggered by the WHO’s information dissemination, previously uncooperative states become more forthcoming with outbreaks. This is especially true for those facing stronger restrictive measures. Using Disease Outbreak News to measure state cooperation, I find that the reform increased the reporting by states isolated from the U.S. and its allies. Such heterogeneity suggests that delegating information authority to neutral IOs may enhance the influence of powerful countries.

Discussant:

Lindsay Dolan (Wesleyan University)

OPSC Coordinator:

Brad Smith (Vanderbilt University)