“Ooh, that’s a big one,” Donald Trump remarked on Monday as he signed an executive order—one of many during his first few hours as president—declaring the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is driving this decision, and what might the consequences be?
The WHO, a UN health agency that works to protect global health and security, receives about 20% of its funding from the US.
Trump has criticized the WHO as “corrupt” and accused it of exploiting America, with many of his supporters becoming increasingly doubtful of the value of international organizations.
However, experts have warned that pulling the US out of the WHO, its most influential member, could have negative effects on global health.
In a statement on Tuesday, the WHO expressed regret over the US’s decision, highlighting its efforts in the past seven years to implement reforms aimed at improving accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact worldwide.
Lawrence Gostin, a public health law professor at Georgetown University, called the US withdrawal the “most momentous” executive order of the day, warning it “could be sowing the seeds for the next pandemic.”
Here’s a closer look at the WHO and the potential global health implications of the US’s decision to withdraw:
What does the WHO do?
The WHO is one of several international bodies established after World War II to foster global cooperation.
Founded in 1948, the agency aims to protect global health, with its constitution emphasizing that “unequal development” in health systems across countries is a “common danger.” The WHO’s mission is to ensure “the highest possible level of health” for all people.
The organization operates in more than 150 locations globally, overseeing initiatives like universal health coverage and responding to health crises such as yellow fever, cholera, and Ebola.
Despite facing criticism for inefficiency and political interference, the WHO continues to play a key role in global health.
What has it achieved?
One of the WHO’s most notable successes is the eradication of smallpox, a remarkable achievement during the Cold War when the US and the Soviet Union collaborated on the initiative.
The WHO also contributed significantly to global life expectancy improvements, and more recently, led the response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Why does Trump want to withdraw?
Trump first attempted to exit the WHO in 2020, accusing the agency of mishandling and covering up the early spread of COVID-19.
Trump has frequently suggested the virus originated in a lab in Wuhan, China, and has been critical of WHO’s handling of the situation.
During his latest election campaign, Trump labeled the WHO a “corrupt globalist scam” that had covered up China’s actions.
However, experts argue that Trump has downplayed the essential role the WHO played in managing the pandemic.
The organization was instrumental in securing the early genetic sequencing of the virus, which enabled the development of vaccines.
Financially, Trump also criticized the disproportionate US contributions compared to China’s.
Devi Sridhar, a global health expert at the University of Edinburgh, argued that the US’s withdrawal could harm national security, as the WHO provides crucial cooperation for addressing outbreaks worldwide.
What happens next?
It will take a year for the US to fully withdraw from the WHO. However, signs suggest the process could accelerate, with Trump’s executive order calling for an immediate halt to funding.
Meanwhile, WHO had already sought $1.5 billion in funding to address ongoing health emergencies.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general, expressed regret over the decision, emphasizing that the US and WHO have worked together for over 70 years to combat health threats, including eradicating smallpox and nearing the elimination of polio.
Experts warn that withdrawing from the WHO could delay efforts to eradicate diseases like polio and hinder responses to both known and emerging health threats, such as Ebola.
