by George Ozalla
The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, ending a continuous membership that began in 1948. The departure, effective January 22, 2026, comes a year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the exit, citing concerns over the organization’s handling of the COVID‑19 pandemic and its failure to implement necessary reforms.
In a joint statement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of State said Washington would no longer provide funding to the WHO and had recalled American personnel from its headquarters in Geneva and offices worldwide. Officials added that the government does not plan to rejoin the WHO and intends to pursue direct health partnerships with other nations and organizations outside the WHO framework.
The U.S. government criticized the WHO for delays in declaring a global health emergency during the early stages of the pandemic and for overreliance on information from member states. While the WHO rejected these claims, calling the withdrawal a loss for both the United States and global health cooperation, officials stressed the importance of international collaboration in addressing transnational health threats.
Public health experts have expressed concerns that the departure could weaken preparedness for future outbreaks and limit access to critical disease surveillance data. They also warned that efforts to combat endemic diseases and coordinate vaccine development could be affected by the U.S. disengagement from the global body.
Financial disputes remain unresolved, with the United States leaving unpaid assessed contributions for recent budget cycles. Washington officials argue there is no legal requirement to settle these obligations before exiting, a matter expected to be addressed by WHO governing bodies.
Despite the federal government’s withdrawal, California announced it would join the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, signaling that subnational engagement with international health initiatives will continue.
The U.S. exit marks a historic shift in global health governance. For decades, the country was among the largest contributors to the WHO and a central player in global disease control, emergency response coordination, and support for health systems in low-income countries. Analysts say the long-term consequences of the withdrawal on global health preparedness and cooperation are likely to unfold over time.
