On January 22, 2026, the United States formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), concluding a process that began a year earlier following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the decision is based on what the government describes as structural failures within the WHO and a lack of political independence from major world powers. The United States, historically one of the organization’s largest financial contributors, stated that it will continue bilateral cooperation with other countries and institutions to address future public health threats.
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The move has raised concerns among international organizations and health experts, who warn that the absence of the U.S. could weaken global coordination during disease outbreaks and negatively impact worldwide health surveillance. Questions also remain regarding unpaid membership contributions that Washington has said it will not cover.
What does the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO mean?
It represents a historic shift in U.S. global health policy, strengthening direct agreements with other actors while creating uncertainty about international cooperation during health emergencies.
