The Trump administration has officially completed the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), severing a 72-year relationship.
The move, finalized
by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday, cites the
organization's COVID-19 pandemic response failures and a lack of return on
American investment as primary reasons.
The Legal and Financial Finality of the Split
The U.S. has terminated all funding and recalled all personnel and contractors assigned to the WHO. The administration declared an end to official U.S. participation in the organization's committees, governance structures, and working groups.
Legally, the departure is contentious, as the U.S. still owes
approximately $260 million in outstanding dues, a requirement
for formal withdrawal that experts say is unlikely to be paid.
HHS Stated Rationale
The agency criticized the WHO for delaying the COVID-19 pandemic declaration
and for what it called echoing China's early "suppression of
information." HHS asserted the move frees American health policy from
"unaccountable foreign bureaucrats."
Criticism and
Warnings from the Health Community
.jpeg "Inside the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization: See the official reasons, the $260M debt, and expert warnings of future pandemics.")
The decision has
been met with severe criticism from leading public health experts, who warn it
jeopardizes global biosecurity and leaves the U.S. vulnerable.
Key Criticisms:
- Dr. Lawrence Gostin
(Georgetown University): Called it "the most ruinous
presidential decision in my lifetime," predicting a slow, weak U.S.
response to the next pandemic.
- Dr. Michael Osterholm
(University of Minnesota): Warned the U.S. will experience
"more deadly worldwide outbreaks" as American experts lose their
seat at the global table.
- Infectious Diseases Society
of America: Labeled
the move "scientifically reckless" and a "biological
necessity" to maintain global cooperation.
The U.S. Plan for a
New Global Health Strategy
.jpeg "US-WHO Split Finalized: Get the complete breakdown of Trump's move, the global health fallout, and what happens next for American security.")
The administration asserts the U.S. will remain a global health leader through a new, bilateral strategy.
This plan will reportedly focus on direct partnerships with
individual countries, NGOs, and religious groups, led by the CDC's Global
Health Center. Critics argue that this patchwork approach cannot replicate the WHO's
universal surveillance and coordinated response capabilities.
The Path Forward
While the divorce is official, HHS left the door open for limited, ad-hoc
collaboration on specific issues, such as upcoming flu vaccine composition
meetings. The administration promised further announcements on its new global
health framework in the coming months.
Source Information
This report is based on statements from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services and leading public health institutions.
- For the official HHS
statement: HHS.gov
- For expert public health
analysis: Infectious Diseases Society of America
Affiliate Disclosure: This article is based on official government statements and expert analysis. Our reporting is independent and fact-based.
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