Final answer:
The WHO provides leadership on health matters, shapes health research, and assesses health trends. They inform on global health situations like pandemics and health emergencies, and guide international response and policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in global health matters by offering leadership on critical health issues, shaping the health research agenda, and monitoring global health trends. In context of a current news topic, the WHO provides extensive resources and information through their website regarding health situations, such as updates on pandemics or international health emergencies, and guides the international response and preparedness plans. They are responsible for assessing health trends and providing expert recommendations to manage public health risks and improve health outcomes worldwide.