What's Happening?
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the organization's mismanagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision follows a year of warnings about
the potential negative impact on public health both domestically and globally. President Trump initiated the withdrawal process on his first day in office in 2025, and the U.S. has since ceased its funding contributions to the WHO. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the government would no longer transfer resources to the WHO, claiming the organization had cost the U.S. trillions of dollars. The U.S. flag was removed from the WHO headquarters in Geneva, marking the end of its membership. The U.S. plans to work directly with other countries on public health priorities rather than through the WHO.
Why It's Important?
The U.S. departure from the WHO has significant implications for global health collaboration. As one of the largest financial contributors to the WHO, the U.S. withdrawal creates a financial crisis for the organization, leading to budget cuts and staff reductions. This move could weaken global health initiatives and disease surveillance efforts, potentially affecting the U.S. and other countries' ability to respond to future health crises. The decision also reflects broader U.S. disengagement from international organizations under President Trump's administration, raising concerns about the country's role in global health governance and its commitment to multilateral cooperation.
What's Next?
The WHO's executive board is set to discuss the U.S. departure in February, focusing on how to handle the financial and operational impacts. Meanwhile, global health experts and leaders, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Bill Gates, have urged the U.S. to reconsider its decision. However, a quick return to the WHO is unlikely, as the U.S. government has expressed no plans to rejoin or participate as an observer. The U.S. aims to establish bilateral agreements for health cooperation, bypassing the WHO as an intermediary.
Beyond the Headlines
The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO raises ethical and legal questions, particularly regarding the payment of outstanding fees and adherence to international agreements. Critics argue that the decision violates U.S. law, but it remains uncertain whether any legal challenges will succeed. The move also highlights the tension between national sovereignty and global cooperation in addressing transnational health issues. The long-term impact on global health governance and the potential for new international health frameworks or organizations to emerge remains to be seen.
