WHO: US Withdrawal Makes Nation and World ‘Less Safe’

The World Health Organization expressed concern on Saturday that the United States’ withdrawal from the agency will have negative consequences for global health security, stating the decision “makes both the United States and the world less safe.”

“We hope that in the future, the United States will return to active participation in WHO,” the organization said in its January 24 statement, responding to the formal U.S. exit announced earlier in the week.

The withdrawal marks the culmination of a process initiated by President Donald Trump upon his return to office last year. Trump had signaled his intention to pull the United States from the WHO as one of his first priorities after regaining the presidency.

On January 22, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a joint statement confirming the departure: “Today, the United States withdrew from the World Health Organization, freeing itself from its constraints, as President Trump promised on his first day in office by signing E.O. 14155.”

The administration officials made it clear that the separation would be comprehensive, stating, “All U.S. funding for, and staffing of, WHO initiatives has ceased.” They added that future engagement with the WHO would be “limited strictly to effectuate our withdrawal and to safeguard the health and safety of the American people.”

In justifying the decision, Rubio and Kennedy claimed the WHO had “pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests.” This accusation represents a continuation of the Trump administration’s previous criticisms of the organization, particularly regarding its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged influence from China.

The WHO firmly rejected these characterizations in its response. “This is untrue. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, governed by 194 Member States, WHO has always been and remains impartial and exists to serve all countries, with respect for their sovereignty, and without fear or favor,” the organization stated.

Public health experts have expressed concern about the potential consequences of the withdrawal. The United States has historically been the WHO’s largest financial contributor, providing substantial funding for global health initiatives, disease surveillance, and emergency response programs. The departure creates questions about funding gaps and how they might affect ongoing health programs worldwide.

The U.S. exit also comes at a time when the WHO has been working to strengthen global health security frameworks following lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many health security experts worry that American absence from these discussions could weaken coordinated responses to future health emergencies.

This withdrawal aligns with President Trump’s broader skepticism toward multilateral institutions. In recent months, he has also signaled potential changes to U.S. participation in other international organizations, including floating the concept of a “Board of Peace” as an alternative to the United Nations.

The decision represents one of the most significant shifts in U.S. global health policy in decades. The United States had been a founding member of the WHO in 1948 and has played a central role in shaping global health priorities and responses to international health crises.

While the administration has framed the withdrawal as protecting American interests, critics argue it could diminish U.S. influence in global health governance and reduce access to crucial international disease surveillance information that protects Americans from emerging health threats.

The long-term implications of this policy shift will likely depend on whether future administrations reconsider U.S. participation in the organization or pursue alternative frameworks for international health cooperation.