Background on the Situation
The United States is set to officially withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, following warnings that this move will negatively impact both U.S. healthcare and global health, as well as violate a U.S. law requiring Washington to pay the UN health agency $260 million in fees.
President Donald Trump had previously announced that the U.S. would leave the organization on the first day of his presidency in 2025. According to U.S. law, a one-year notice is required, along with the payment of all outstanding fees before departure.
Experts’ Concerns and Reactions
In the past year, numerous global health experts have called for a reassessment, including recently WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“I hope the United States will reconsider and rejoin WHO,” he told reporters in a press conference earlier this month. “Leaving the rest of the world behind”.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Lawrence Gostin, founding director of the O’Neill School of Public Health Global Law at Georgetown University, described this withdrawal as a “clear violation of U.S. law.” However, he acknowledged that Trump might succeed in his endeavor.
Bill Gates, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—a significant funder of global health initiatives and part of the WHO’s work—told Reuters in Davos that he did not anticipate the U.S. reconsidering its stance in the short term.
“I don’t expect the U.S. to rejoin WHO soon,” he said, adding that when given the opportunity, he would advocate for its support. “The world needs the World Health Organization.”
Bill Gates, President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
What Does the Withdrawal Mean?
For the WHO, the U.S. departure has triggered a budget crisis, leading to a reduction in half of its executive team and cutting back on work by trimming budgets across the agency. Historically, Washington has been the largest financial contributor to the UN health agency, accounting for approximately 18% of its global funding.
The WHO will also let go of a quarter of its staff by mid-year.
The agency has stated that it has been collaborating with the U.S. and sharing information over the past year, but the future of this collaboration remains unclear.
Global health experts have warned that this situation poses risks for the U.S., WHO, and the world.
“The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO could weaken the systems and collaborations on which the world relies to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats,” said Kelly Henning, director of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ public health program.
Kelly Henning, Director of Public Health Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies
Key Questions and Answers
- Question: What is the reason behind the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO?
- Question: How will this withdrawal affect global health?
- Question: What has been the reaction from global health experts?
- Question: How has the WHO responded to the U.S. withdrawal?
Answer: The U.S. claims it is due to concerns over the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged China bias. However, critics argue it undermines global health cooperation and violates U.S. law.
Answer: The U.S. is a significant financial contributor to the WHO, and its departure could weaken global health systems and collaborations.
Answer: Many experts, including the WHO Director-General, have urged the U.S. to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the importance of global health collaboration.
Answer: The WHO has expressed regret over the U.S. decision and highlighted the risks associated with reduced collaboration and funding.
