Friday, January 23, 2026

US withdraws from the World Health Organization

The United States has officially left the World Health Organization (WHO), a decision influenced by perceived mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic by the agency. This marks a significant shift in U. S. participation in global health initiatives.

• President Trump notified the WHO of the U. S. withdrawal on his first day in office in 2025, citing failures in handling the pandemic.

• The U. S. plans limited interaction with the WHO, stating it will not participate as an observer or rejoin in the future. Instead, it aims to collaborate directly with other nations on health matters.

• The U. S. owes the WHO approximately $260 million in outstanding fees, but disputes exist regarding whether payment needs to be made before leaving.

• The departure has led to significant budget cuts within the WHO, which has traditionally relied on U. S. contributions.

• Global health experts warn that this withdrawal risks undermining health systems that detect and respond to health threats worldwide.

The withdrawal could have far-reaching implications for global health coordination, while some experts continue to advocate for the U. S. to reconsider its decision and rejoin the WHO for effective international health collaboration. 

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-set-quit-world-health-organization-2026-01-22/

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