In a move that has been met with concern from public health experts around the world, the United States has announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision has the potential to have serious consequences for global health, including the ability to fight infectious diseases, track outbreaks, and develop vaccines.
Why Did the US Withdraw from the WHO?
The Trump administration cited several reasons for the withdrawal, including: The WHO's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which the administration believes was slow and ineffective. Furthermore, Trump stated that the WHO's alleged lack of independence from China despite its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states is a contributing factor for US withdrawal.
The high cost of U.S. membership in the WHO which ranged from $100 to $122 million over the past decade, the highest that any member pays—are “unfairly onerous” and “far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments." (By comparison, while China has a similar assessment, its population is four times the size of the U.S.) The U.S. also contributed far more in voluntary funding in recent years; in 2022-2023, for example, it provided a total of nearly $1.3 billion to the health agency, Trump reiterated.
“For Americans it may not be obvious immediately what the impact will be, but given the world we live in and all of the factors that are driving more disease outbreaks, America cannot fight them alone,” says Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the school of public health at Brown University and former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator. “We need an effective WHO to not just keep the world safe from these diseases, but to keep Americans safe from these diseases.”
"The bottom line is that withdrawing from the WHO makes Americans and the world less safe," says Dr. Tom Frieden, president and CEO of the nonprofit health organization Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In a statement responding to Trump’s order, the WHO says it “regrets” the U.S.’s decision. “We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”Here's what to know about the U.S.'s withdrawal from the global health organization and what it might mean for the health of Americans and people around the world.
What Are the Implications of the US Withdrawal?
The US withdrawal from the WHO could have a number of negative consequences, including:
Reduced ability to fight infectious diseases: The WHO plays a critical role in coordinating the global response to infectious diseases. By withdrawing from the WHO, the US will lose access to important information and resources, making it more difficult to fight diseases like COVID-19, influenza, and polio.
Increased risk of outbreaks: The WHO's global surveillance system helps to track outbreaks of infectious diseases and prevent them from spreading. Without US participation, this system will be less effective, and the risk of outbreaks becoming global pandemics will increase.
Slower vaccine development: The WHO plays a role in coordinating the development of vaccines for new and emerging infectious diseases. By withdrawing from the WHO, the US will lose its influence over this process, and vaccine development could be slowed.
Weakened global health diplomacy: The US has traditionally been a leader in global health diplomacy. By withdrawing from the WHO, the US will lose its ability to shape global health policy and promote cooperation on health issues.
Increased influence of China: China is already a major player in global health. The US withdrawal from the WHO could create a vacuum that China will be happy to fill. This could give China greater influence over global health policy, which could be detrimental to US interests.
What Can Be Done?
The US withdrawal from the WHO is a serious setback for global health. However, it is not too late to reverse this decision. The new administration should consider rejoining the WHO and working to reform the organization from within. The US can also work with other countries to strengthen the WHO and ensure that it is effective in addressing global health challenges.
Lawrence Gostin, professor and chair of global health law at Georgetown University says Trump’s decision may open him up to legal action. “Trump made a unilateral decision to pull out of WHO,” Gostin tweeted. “But we joined WHO in 1948 by an act of Congress. Trump needs Congress’ approval to withdraw. As director of a WHO Center, I am considering a lawsuit.”
Gostin also points out that the executive order calls for immediate cessation of payments, although the terms of the U.S.’s agreement with the WHO allows for a year to implement the withdrawal.
The Bottom Line
The US withdrawal from the WHO is a bad decision that will have negative consequences for public health around the world. It is important to remember that global health threats do not respect borders. We are all safer when we work together to fight infectious diseases and promote health. The US should rejoin the WHO and work to make it a more effective organization.
@kushconcertseries
