Major Shift: U.S. Withdrawal from World Health Organization Set to Impact Millions in Funding – What This Means for Global Health

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization (WHO). He criticized the WHO for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic and various global health issues.

Trump voiced concerns over what he termed “political influence” on the WHO from its member states. He also mentioned that the U.S. carries a significant financial burden, contributing about 18% of the organization’s budget, making it the largest donor.

“The World Health Organization has taken advantage of us, just like everyone else,” he stated during the signing. “That stops now.”

The withdrawal will be official in 12 months, and the U.S. will halt all payments to the agency’s $6.8 billion budget for 2024-2025. Trump pointed out that the U.S. was expected to make “unfairly excessive payments” compared to other major countries, including China.

This decision marks a significant shift in the U.S.’s relationship with global health governance amid ongoing discussions about international cooperation and health security.

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