Vol. 5 (2026)
Diginomics

Review

The Impact of the World Health Organization on International Business

Published 2026-01-01

  • Guillermo Alejandro Zaragoza Alvarado
    • ,
  • Yanet Domínguez Albear
    • ,
  • Ynosencia Merejo Medrano

Guillermo Alejandro Zaragoza Alvarado
Universidad Virtual del Estado de Guanajuato Guanajuato – México

Yanet Domínguez Albear
Universidad de Ciencias Pedagógicas “Enrique José Varona”, La Habana, Cuba

Ynosencia Merejo Medrano
Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Escuela de Formación Infantil y Básica. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken on a central role in the indirect regulation of international business. This article analyzes the WHO's impact on global trade, considering its role in issuing regulations, certifications, and recommendations during health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodology employed is qualitative and documentary, based on the analysis of academic sources, technical reports, and international treaties. The results reveal that the WHO influences trade agreements, indirectly regulates supply chains through health standards, and promotes emerging sectors such as digital health and biotechnology. However, it also faces criticism for its financial dependence, slow response, and the inequalities its guidelines generate in countries with less technological capacity. It is concluded that the WHO is a key regulatory actor in the global economy, whose legitimacy and effectiveness depend on institutional reforms that balance state sovereignty and international cooperation.

Keywords

certifications, international trade, health governance, WHO, pandemic, regulations, public health, trade agreements

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