On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump fulfilled his campaign promise by announcing the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump criticized WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and cited concerns over the organization’s failures and political influences. The U.S. historically has been the largest funder of WHO, contributing nearly a fifth of its budget in 2020.
Trump’s decision to withdraw has raised alarm among health experts who believe that it will isolate the U.S. and weaken global health security. They express concerns about the U.S.’ ability to respond to future health emergencies without WHO’s support. The decision also undermines diplomatic relations worldwide and may impact the nation’s ability to collaborate on disease surveillance, outbreaks, and vaccine development.
There are questions about the process through which the U.S. will withdraw from WHO, as the organization’s constitution does not have a clear exit method for member states. Health experts warn that leaving WHO could make the U.S. more vulnerable to emerging diseases and pandemics, such as a hypothetical mpox outbreak or bird flu mutation.
Experts point out the success of past collaborations between WHO and the U.S. in fighting diseases like polio and HIV/AIDS, as well as in driving medical innovations. They fear that without WHO, the U.S. could face challenges in responding to future health crises and ensuring access to life-saving treatments and vaccines. Ultimately, experts believe that Trump’s decision to withdraw from WHO could have far-reaching consequences for global health security and the nation’s ability to respond effectively to future pandemics.
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