Public health experts evaluate the global and financial impact of the U.S. leaving the World Health Organization.
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Onhisfirstdayinoffice,Jan.20,2025,PresidentDonaldTrumpsignedanexecutiveorderinitiatingtheU.S.withdrawalfromtheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO),adecisionthatwouldformallytakeeffectinJanuary2026.
TheWHOoperatesthroughcollaborationamongits194membernations,whichcollectivelydetermineglobalhealthprioritiesandcoordinateresponsestohealthcrises,includingthesharingofmedicaldata,treatments,andvaccines.
TheTrumpadministration,aspartofitsreassessmentofAmerica’sroleininternationalaid,justifiedtheWHOwithdrawalbycitingtheorganization’sallegedfailuresinhandlingtheCOVID-19pandemic.TheordersalsoarguethatU.S.foreignassistancehascontributedtoglobalinstabilityratherthanpeace.
However,steppingawayfromtheWHOandreducinginternationalhealthaidcouldhindereffortstoaddresslife-threateningdiseasesandoutbreaks,particularlyinlower-incomenationsthatrelyonexternalsupportforessentialhealthcareservices.Itwouldal
