WHAT FUTURE WHO

New actors on the international health scene have emerged, challenging WHO's leadership in global health. The role and functions of WHO have been questioned. Changes in financing have eroded the influence of th e governing bodies. The Nordic countries, which together provide a con siderable share of the total voluntary contributions to WHO, have rece ntly made a number of studies of WHO, pinpointing weaknesses and propo sing reforms. A slow reform process is also taking place within WHO. T he main conclusions from these studies are analyzed and the areas with the greatest need for reform are studied. This paper presents proposa ls for the far-reaching reforms needed for WHO to recapture its leader ship role in international health.