Keeping up with the stream of executive orders signed off by the new US administration is like trying to drink from a firehose. But amid all the noise is one decision with profound global consequences: the United States' intent to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from WHO. The move wasn’t unexpected: President Trump is reigniting a process he started during his first term in office, but was halted in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden. Justifying his decision, President Trump raised allegations about WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and claimed that the US contributes an “unfair” share of its funding.
Making sense of these claims and the potential consequences of this decision is not easy. Let's break down what this move will actually entail, what WHO does, and how this could impact global health for billions across the world.
What Is WHO Exactly?
WHO is a specialized United Nations agency founded in 1948 — with the US acting as a key architect — designed to coordinate global health efforts. Its mission? To promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the most vulnerable. WHO has 194 member states (which is the entire international community, except Liechtenstein), and some of its greatest accomplishments over the decades include the eradication of smallpox and facilitating global efforts to do the same with polio.
Think of WHO as the world’s global health resource, especially for countries that don’t have robust health agencies themselves. It provides countries with public health guidelines and helps with childhood vaccinations, tracks the spread of infectious diseases, and delivers emergency health activities in response to outbreaks, pandemics, conflicts, disasters, and other humanitarian settings. It also collects data and supports research worldwide, and works to improve health systems and services for governments and communities, especially the most vulnerable, in the over 150 countries where it’s present.
WHO manages to pull all this off with a relatively modest budget. Its two-year budget for 2024-2025 is $6.8 billion (less than Rhode Island’s statewide spending on health, or about what it costs to run an average large US hospital). WHO receives most of its funding from its member states through both assessed and voluntary contributions. Assessed funds are calculated and agreed upon according to a country’s income. The US pays about $130 million a year in assessed contributions — but it chooses to pay more in voluntary contributions (with $442 million signed for in 2024), which enable donors to earmark funds for specific initiatives they prioritize.
What Does the Executive Order Actually Do?
The executive order does a few things at once. It calls for a halt in US funding for WHO, pulls US personnel from WHO collaborations, and stops participation in global health agreements, such as the WHO Pandemic Agreement (an international accord regarding countries’ obligations to prevent and respond to pandemics).
It also directs US agencies to find “credible and transparent” partners to replace what WHO does. That’s easier said than done — WHO’s global reach and influence aren’t exactly easy to replicate.
The US also formally gave notice that it would be officially out of WHO in January 2026. However, a directive given by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) days later ordered its staff to halt all communications with WHO immediately (including all meetings and email), indicating that the withdrawal process could happen even more rapidly than initially thought. Still, CDC personnel have been cleared to speak one-on-one with their WHO counterparts regarding disease outbreaks in Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, situations that are made worse by the additional challenges created by the decimation of USAID.
What Could Happen Next?
The US withdrawal from WHO would have dire consequences for countries around the world that rely on the agency to help reach their public health goals. It will take a huge chunk out of WHO’s already-stretched finances — US contributions cover about 18% of its total budget, which has allowed the agency to fund crucial health programs for HIV, tuberculosis, polio, childhood vaccinations, and emergency response efforts.
But the withdrawal will also likely have severe repercussions for US citizens — especially as reports of several concerning health situations, including cases of Ebola in Uganda, Marburg (the so-called “bleeding eye” virus) in Tanzania, and bird flu (already detected within the US), are on the rise, threatening to cross borders and spread to US shores if not carefully monitored.
1. The US Will Lose Early Warnings About Deadly Diseases
WHO runs extensive disease surveillance networks, like the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, which monitor outbreaks worldwide. These data help the US prepare for threats like bird flu, and, yes, COVID-19. Losing access means US health agencies would no longer receive real-time updates on emerging health threats, keeping them in the dark over how to respond swiftly to outbreaks. Early detection is key for containment, and without it, diseases could spread unchecked and potentially across borders.
2. Polio Could Make a Comeback
WHO is a leading partner within the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, coordinating vaccination campaigns and monitoring outbreaks in hard-to-reach regions. US funding has been critical in reducing polio cases from 350,000 annually to under 100. Without that support, vaccination efforts may falter, especially in areas where WHO operates that are inaccessible to US health officials. This could lead to new outbreaks endangering communities, even in the US, where vaccination rates have begun to decline.
3. Childhood Diseases Could Resurge
WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunization helps protect children worldwide from diseases like measles, diphtheria, and tetanus. The US withdrawal means less funding for these vital programs, increasing the risk of outbreaks globally. Diseases that have been significantly beaten back could have a resurgence. The US could face imported cases, reversing decades of progress in public health in the US and abroad.
4. The US Won’t Be Part of a Global Response to the Next Pandemic
WHO coordinates international responses to pandemics, facilitating the rapid sharing of critical data, scientific research, and medical supplies. Without WHO, the US risks being left out of crucial global discussions on outbreak management, vaccine distribution, and treatment protocols. This isolation could delay access to life-saving vaccines and treatments during future pandemics, leaving people in the US vulnerable to rapidly spreading diseases.
Is This Legal?
The short answer is: Yes — but only under certain conditions. The US is technically the only country with a legal right to withdraw, due to the 1948 congressional resolution joining WHO which also included the country’s right to reverse that decision. But it outlined a few steps to do so: the withdrawal process must take a full year, and the US is obligated to pay its dues to WHO over the course of that year. President Trump’s executive order clearly contradicts this condition by halting funding immediately and could also violate US law, since this money was already approved by Congress. Plus, there’s debate over whether congressional approval is needed, or if the executive branch can unilaterally make this decision alone. Stay tuned for more back-and-forth and potential legal challenges in the weeks ahead.
The Bottom Line
Leaving WHO won’t be a cure-all for the US federal budget – its contributions to WHO amounts to a rounding error compared to the $824 billion the government spends on defense, for example. But it certainly will put American interests and citizens at greater risk from public health threats and undermine global security. WHO has expressed appreciation for its longstanding partnership with the US, emphasized its ongoing reform efforts, and indicated its willingness to discuss the order, stating, “We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue…for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
While this might seem like just another headline in a chaotic news cycle, it’s one worth paying attention to. Because when the next health crisis hits, the US will almost certainly wish it still had a seat at WHO’s table.
How You Can Help
In response to the US withdrawal announcement, the WHO Foundation launched a new fundraising appeal on behalf of WHO. If you’re able to chip in and support WHO’s vital work, donate here or share the link with friends and family. Every dollar counts and every contribution makes a difference. Those based in the US can also help and show solidarity with WHO by contacting your Member of Congress to voice your concern as part of the Better World campaign. Our leaders need to know why WHO is important to voters, and how it impacts Americans and literally billions around the world.