The U.S. leaving the WHO: causes and effects

• Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 20, 2025.

• Trump accused WHO of bias towards China and mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The decision follows Trump’s 2020 withdrawal, but the Biden administration continued the partnership.

• A 2024 Pew survey showed that 40% of US citizens felt the country was not benefiting from WHO membership.

• Republicans were only half as likely as Democrats to believe the US benefits from WHO.

• The US will pause future transfers of funds, support, or resources to WHO, a significant blow to WHO.

• The US has consistently contributed close to 15% of WHO’s total funding since 2016-17.

• The US’s decision to halt funding could impact WHO’s initiatives, such as improving access to quality health services, responding to acute health emergencies, polio eradication, and prevention of epidemics and pandemics.

• The order also calls for the recall and reassignment of U.S. personnel working with the global public health body.