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

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a pivotal role in global health by directing and coordinating international health efforts and establishing global health standards. This involves a range of responsibilities, including setting policies, providing leadership on critical health issues, and shaping the research agenda. WHO also works to improve health systems, promote public health, and respond to health emergencies across different countries.

By establishing international health standards, WHO facilitates cooperation among nations in addressing various health threats and issues, from communicable diseases to health systems strengthening. Their initiatives often include guideline development for monitoring and assessing health trends, which underscore their leadership in global health governance.

The other options reflect important activities in health but do not encapsulate the primary function of WHO. While WHO does support various health initiatives, it primarily focuses on coordination and setting standards rather than providing direct funding for local health programs. Conducting medical research and trials is typically undertaken by other research entities and organizations rather than WHO itself. Similarly, the regulation of healthcare professionals' licenses falls under the jurisdiction of national governments and local professional regulatory bodies, not an international organization's role.