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A classic English rock band…

And also the World Health Organization. Founded in 1948, the WHO is a United Nations agency that exists to promote “the highest possible level of health” for all people. 

It’s an intentionally broad mandate. They’re not just around to cure disease—they also work to help people live mentally, physically, and socially healthy lives, and to encourage international cooperation in doing so.

How do they do that exactly?
Lots of ways. 

They operate in 150+ locations worldwide, working on everything from Ebola outbreaks to HIV treatments, diabetes management, and cancer research. 

In practice, that means getting vaccines and medicine to people who lack access, funding scientific research, responding to emergencies, and setting the international standards that keep the global health system running. They're also one of the institutions behind the sanitary guidelines that govern food safety across borders.

COVID? The WHO was the one to officially declare it a pandemic.

Wait, I thought that was the CDC?
Good guess.

The Centers for Disease Control is a U.S. federal agency. They have historically worked closely with the WHO (think: sharing data and coordinating research), but they only have authority in the U.S. 

On the other hand, the WHO coordinates globally with its member nations but can’t actually tell those nations what to do. They prescribe recommendations, but governments call their own shots.

Who runs the WHO?
The WHO is governed by the World Health Assembly, which meets once a year (actually, its 2026 meeting ends today) in Geneva to diagnose priorities and policies. It’s made up of 194 member nations.

That means almost every nation is a member of the WHO… with a couple of important caveats: The U.S. and Argentina both withdrew earlier this year, ending communication with the WHO. Supporters of the U.S. withdrawal argue the WHO mishandled COVID-19 and that the U.S. pays too much for too little influence, while critics warn it will disrupt global and domestic health.

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Here’s a verse to consider whether health news leaves you optimistic or unsure… ”Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 (read full passage)

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Getting to know the team more with a fun fact hidden in this week’s TPO Mini Crossword.

Some fancy chiseling…

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Top News Article: In our newsletters, there’s truly something for everyone… from live frogs found in bagged salad to a new drop of government UFO docs.

Top Christian Perspective: A grounding reminder to pray for world leaders while keeping your hope in God. Download and save it here. Share with a friend!

Top Whipped Cream: You, like us, couldn’t stop watching this optical illusion painting.

How We’re Learning About God’s Justice
With this free Bible study*

What does it mean to walk in justice and mercy? Sure, we all know it’s what we’re supposed to do, but… how? And what do we do when justice and mercy sometimes seem at odds?

Prison Fellowship International’s Bible study, "What is Restorative Justice?" walks through key Scriptures illustrating God’s heart for restoring people and relationships. By learning more about the core principles of a reconciliation that’s actually restorative (not just a band-aid), you’ll uncover a deeper, more transformative vision of justice. 

Start your journey to living justly, loving mercy, and turning pain into peace with this free Bible study. Download your copy today!

A Prayer When Sickness Spreads

God Our Refuge, bring under the shadow of Your wings those who have lost loved ones to this disease. Be a refuge, a fortress, a friend for the sick who have been quarantined, separated from their support systems. Give doctors and public health officials skill for healing, communication, and containment. Bless the work of scientists and biomedical engineers racing to find new methods of protection. And shower the public with steadying grace—healing, protecting, and renewing the world through Your Word by the power of Your Spirit.

God Who Holds Us Fast in Love, fortify Your people to walk in faith and wisdom, compelled by neighbor love to serve the sick instead of cowering in fear. Imitating the compassionate, healing care of Jesus, give us courage to move toward the weak and dying, confident that God has already delivered us from the power of our most chronic and ruinous disease—and from death itself. Amen.

Want to bring more hard headlines to God in prayer? Join us in our Saturday afternoon newsletter, Praying the News. Subscribe for free here.

(You’ll still get our M/W/F news)