U.S. Withdrawal from The World Health Organization: Everything You Need to Know
Sanya Talwar
February 2025
On January 20th, President Trump signed an executive order that officially declared the beginning of the United States withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision has marked a significant shift in global health governance.
Background on WHO
WHO, established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for improving international public health. It plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to global health crises, setting health standards, and providing medical assistance to areas in need.¹ The United States has been a key member and financial contributor to WHO since its inception post-WW2, underscoring its commitment to global health initiatives. ²
U.S. decision to withdraw from WHO and its implications
The U.S. government, under President Trump’s administration, announced its intention to withdraw from WHO on July 6th, 2020, citing concerns over the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.³ Key points of contention included perceived delays in declaring a public health emergency, alleged lack of transparency from China, and concerns over WHO’s independence from political influence. The decision was framed as part of a broader reassessment of U.S. engagement with international organizations. ⁴
The withdrawal of the United States from WHO has far-reaching implications for global health governance. As the largest financial contributor, the U.S. provided approximately 15% of WHO’s $4.8 billion 2020-2021 budget, including $893 million in voluntary funds for specific programs.⁵ Immediate termination of these payments risked disrupting polio eradication campaigns, HIV/AIDS programs, and emergency response capacities in low-income nations. ⁶
Moreover, the U.S. withdrawal may undermine the collective response to global health challenges. WHO relies on international cooperation to address issues such as pandemics, vaccine distribution, and health equity. The absence of the United States could weaken the organization’s authority and effectiveness, potentially leading to fragmented and less coordinated global health efforts.
Potential consequences
1. Impact on COVID-19 Response: WHO’s ability to coordinate the global response to Covid-19 may be compromised. The U.S. withdrawal could lead to reduced funding for vaccine distribution, research, and support to healthcare systems in vulnerable regions of the world. For example, the WHO-led COVAX initiative, aimed at equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution, faced uncertainty without U.S. participation, potentially exacerbating disparities between high and low-income countries. ⁷
2. Global health security: The base of the United States may create a vacuum in global health leadership, potentially allowing other nations to exert greater influence over WHO’s agenda. This shift could impact the organization’s priorities and decision-making process.
3. Health Equity: WHO’s efforts to address health disparities and promote universal health disparities and promote universal health coverage may be hindered. The U.S. withdrawal could result in reduced funding for programs aimed at improving health outcomes in low and middle-income communities.
4. International Relations: The decision to withdraw from WHO may strain U.S. relations with other nations and international organizations. It could be perceived as a retreat from multilateralism, potentially weakening the United States’ position in global health diplomacy.
The U.S. withdrawal from WHO represents a significant but detrimental development in global health governance. While the decision reflects concern over the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, it also realizes important questions about the future of international cooperation in addressing global health challenges. The implications of this withdrawal are profound, affecting not only WHO’s operational capacity but also the broader landscape of global health security and equity.
References
[1]: World Health Organization. (n.d.). *History of WHO*. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about/history
[2]: U.S. Department of State. (2020). *U.S. Contributions to the World Health Organization*. Fact Sheet.
[3]: The White House. (2020). *Letter to the United Nations Secretary-General*. July 6, 2020. [4]: Gostin, L. O., & Katz, R. (2020). *The International Health Regulations: The Governing Framework for Global Health Security*. Milbank Quarterly, 94(2).
[5]: World Health Organization. (2020). *Programme Budget 2020–2021*. [6]: Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020). *The U.S. Government and the World Health Organization*.
[7]: Bollyky, T. J., & Bown, C. P. (2020). *The Tragedy of Vaccine Nationalism*. Foreign Affairs.
