United States Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)
The United States has officially withdrawn from the WHO, following a decision initiated a year ago under an executive order by President Donald Trump. This move was confirmed by both the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the State Department.
Reasons for Withdrawal
- The administration criticized the WHO for deviating from its core mission and failing to uphold reform, accountability, and transparency standards.
- Particularly, the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was a major point of contention, with accusations of delayed response in declaring a global health emergency.
- The US administration claimed the WHO acted against US interests and highlighted the disproportionate financial contributions made by the US compared to other countries like China.
Financial and Legal Implications
- According to United Nations procedures, a one-year notice is required for withdrawal, which the US adhered to with the executive order.
- The US currently owes over $270 million in unpaid contributions for the 2024–2025 period.
- The administration contends that the US is not legally obligated to pay this amount under the WHO's constitution.
Continued US Role in Global Health
The US plans to maintain its involvement in global public health through other avenues outside the WHO framework:
- HHS has over 2,000 employees working in 63 countries.
- Bilateral agreements exist with numerous governments to continue efforts in disease surveillance, diagnostics, and outbreak response.
Concerns and Future Steps
Public health experts have expressed concerns about the US withdrawal:
- Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, emphasized the importance of global cooperation, stating that diseases do not respect borders.
- The withdrawal could impact the surveillance of diseases such as Ebola and seasonal influenza.
The WHO's executive board will discuss the implications of the US withdrawal in an upcoming meeting, and the decision will be guided by the organization's governing bodies. Currently, there are no plans for the US to rejoin the WHO or participate as an observer.
