Trump Formally Ends U.S. Relationship With the World Health Organization After Decades, marking a historic break in global health cooperation that stretches back to the aftermath of World War II.
The United States has now officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), completing a process that began a year ago when President Donald Trump announced plans to leave the international health body. The move ends nearly eight decades of U.S. membership in the organization.
Why the Trump Administration Withdrew
According to the Trump administration, the decision stems from dissatisfaction with how the WHO handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials cited what they described as poor crisis management, failure to implement meaningful reforms, and undue political influence from certain member nations.
Since helping establish the WHO in 1948, the United States had played a central role in shaping its policies and direction. It was also the organization’s single largest financial contributor, providing hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Public Health Leaders Sound the Alarm
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts and medical organizations.
“Withdrawing from the World Health Organization is scientifically reckless,” said Dr. Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. He warned that infectious diseases do not respect borders and require international cooperation to contain.
“Global collaboration is not optional,” Nahass added. “It’s a biological necessity.”
How the U.S. Plans to Engage Globally Without WHO
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the country will continue to participate in global health efforts, but through alternative channels. These include direct partnerships with other nations, private organizations, nongovernmental groups, and faith-based institutions.
Federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are expected to lead these efforts.
A senior HHS official emphasized that the U.S. is not stepping back from global leadership. “We are not withdrawing from being a leader on global health,” the official told The Washington Post.
Funding Cuts and Staff Withdrawals
As part of the exit, all U.S. personnel assigned to WHO offices have been recalled. Nearly $280 million in U.S. funding has also been halted, according to sources familiar with the situation.
WHO officials say the U.S. must still resolve outstanding financial obligations before the withdrawal is fully finalized. The organization’s executive board is expected to review the issue in February.
Concerns Over Global Disease Surveillance
Health experts warn that the U.S. exit could weaken international disease monitoring and emergency response systems. The move comes alongside other controversial decisions, including plans by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to end funding for Gavi, an organization that helps deliver vaccines to low-income countries.
At the same time, staffing reductions have significantly scaled back the CDC’s global health operations.
“It’s hard to take claims of global leadership seriously,” said Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University law professor involved in WHO initiatives. “The administration has slashed funding and dismantled the very systems that made the U.S. a global health leader.”
Uncertainty Around Future Health Meetings
Questions also remain about how the withdrawal will affect U.S. involvement in major international health decisions. Next month, the WHO plans to convene flu experts to determine which virus strains should be included in next season’s influenza vaccine—a process that shapes vaccine production worldwide.
U.S. scientists participated in this effort last year, but officials say discussions are ongoing about whether CDC experts will be allowed to take part this time.
What the WHO Does
The World Health Organization coordinates global efforts to track diseases, respond to health emergencies, and guide public health policy. Its work ranges from pandemic response to vaccine development and disease prevention in vulnerable populations.
Source: The Washington Post, Jan. 22, 2026
