United States Officially Exits World Health Organization, Raising Global Health Concerns

The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization, ending its 78-year membership. The decision, initiated by President Trump over alleged mismanagement and high costs, raises concerns about weakened global and US preparedness for disease outbreaks. Experts warn the exit could limit access to critical data, reduce vaccine support for vulnerable countries, and diminish US influence in international health.

The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending a 78-year-long membership that had made it one of the agency’s most significant contributors. The move comes exactly a year after President Donald Trump announced his intention to leave the international health body. Trump had signed an executive order on his first day in office in 2025, citing concerns over the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. He also criticized the financial obligations of US membership, describing them as “unfairly onerous payments” that placed a disproportionate burden on American taxpayers. A one-year waiting period was required before the withdrawal could be finalized, which concluded with the official exit this week.
In a joint statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized that the withdrawal “frees the United States from its constraints” under the WHO framework. Despite this, the exit has raised significant complications. The US reportedly owes more than $130 million to the organization, and there is ongoing uncertainty and disagreement over how these outstanding obligations will be handled. The WHO has confirmed that member states will discuss the US departure and its implications during the agency’s executive board meeting scheduled for February. Additionally, US officials have acknowledged that some important issues remain unresolved, including the loss of access to international health data that could provide early warnings of emerging pandemics, a tool that has historically been vital for global health security.
Over the past year, numerous global health experts have voiced concerns about the consequences of the US withdrawal. They warned that the decision could severely undermine the ability of both the United States and the WHO to respond effectively to disease outbreaks and other pressing global health threats. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly urged the US to reconsider, highlighting that leaving the organization is a setback not only for America but also for global public health. Ghebreyesus noted that the WHO’s role in coordinating preparedness for diseases such as mpox, Ebola, and polio, providing technical assistance to poorer nations, distributing vaccines, and establishing guidelines for a wide range of health conditions—including mental health and cancer—remains indispensable in a connected and interdependent world.
The withdrawal represents a significant change in the global health landscape, given that the United States has historically been the largest funder of the WHO. This financial support has been crucial for the agency’s ability to operate and respond to health crises worldwide. By leaving the organization, the US risks losing access to critical early-warning systems, collaboration with other nations, and shared scientific knowledge that can help prevent or mitigate the spread of disease. The Trump administration’s decision has sparked widespread debate among policymakers and health professionals, who caution that the long-term consequences could include slower responses to global outbreaks, reduced vaccine distribution to vulnerable populations, and diminished influence in setting international health standards.
Ghebreyesus stressed during a recent press briefing that withdrawing from the WHO represents a significant loss for the United States and the rest of the world. He expressed hope that future US administrations might reconsider the decision and rejoin the organization to restore collaboration and strengthen global health security. The announcement has sparked international discussion about the future of the WHO and the importance of continued engagement from all major member states, particularly the United States, whose participation has been instrumental in shaping the agency’s policies, funding, and overall capacity to respond to health emergencies worldwide.