U.S. Completes Withdrawal from World Health Organization After 78 Years

The United States has officially ended its 78-year membership in the World Health Organization, federal officials confirmed Thursday. The exit comes exactly one year after President Donald Trump announced America would be leaving the global health agency.

Despite the formal withdrawal, significant complications remain unresolved. The U.S. still owes approximately $280 million to the WHO according to the organization, and Trump administration officials admit they haven’t finalized arrangements to replace critical functions the WHO provided, including early warning systems for emerging pandemic threats.

“In my opinion, it’s the most ruinous presidential decision in my lifetime,” said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, who warns the withdrawal will severely impact global outbreak responses and hamper U.S. scientists’ ability to develop vaccines against new threats.

As the UN’s specialized health agency, the WHO coordinates international responses to health emergencies like mpox, Ebola, and polio. The organization also provides technical assistance to developing nations, helps distribute vaccines and medical supplies, and establishes guidelines for hundreds of health conditions.

Until now, the United States had been among the WHO’s largest financial supporters, contributing an average of $111 million annually in member dues and approximately $570 million more in voluntary contributions, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. U.S. officials were instrumental in the WHO’s founding in 1948 and have provided hundreds of specialized public health experts to staff the organization over the decades.

In his executive order justifying the withdrawal, Trump cited WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its “failure to adopt urgently needed reforms,” and what he described as the organization’s inability to demonstrate independence from political influence by member states.

The WHO did make significant missteps during the pandemic, including initially advising against mask-wearing and maintaining that COVID-19 wasn’t airborne—a position it didn’t officially reverse until 2024. Trump officials also complained that despite America’s outsized financial contributions, no American has ever served as WHO director-general.

Public health experts warn that the U.S. exit could severely undermine numerous global health initiatives, including polio eradication efforts, maternal and child health programs, and research aimed at identifying emerging viral threats.

“Shortsighted and misguided” and “scientifically reckless” is how Dr. Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, characterized the withdrawal.

The U.S. has now ceased participation in WHO committees, governance structures, and technical working groups—apparently including the WHO panels that assess circulating flu strains and make critical decisions about updating seasonal vaccines. This suggests America is no longer participating in the global flu information-sharing network that guides vaccine development.

Such disease intelligence has historically helped Americans be “at the front of the line” when new outbreaks emerge and rapid vaccine development is needed, Gostin noted.

Trump administration officials claim they’re establishing direct health information sharing relationships with many countries to replace WHO’s role as intermediary. However, when pressed, officials provided no specifics about how many such arrangements are in place.

Gostin believes the U.S. is unlikely to secure agreements with more than a small fraction of countries. “Many emerging viruses are first spotted in China, but is China going to sign a contract with the United States?” he asked. “Are countries in Africa going to do it? Are the countries Trump has slapped with a huge tariff going to send us their data? The claim is almost laughable.”

Gostin also argues Trump overstepped his authority in withdrawing from WHO, noting that since the U.S. joined through an act of Congress, congressional approval should be required to leave.

While the U.S. provided the required one-year advance notice before withdrawal, WHO officials maintain America still has a legal obligation to pay outstanding financial obligations—approximately $280 million for unpaid dues from 2024 and 2025. Administration officials dispute this claim, stating the U.S. had no obligation to pay before withdrawing.

The long-term impacts of America’s exit from the global health body remain to be seen, but experts warn the consequences could be far-reaching for both international public health efforts and America’s own security against future pandemic threats.