US officially leaves World Health Organization
After nearly 80 years of membership, the U.S. is officially no longer part of the World Health Organization (WHO).
President Trump initiated the removal process in an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, the first day of his second term. He cited the organization’s alleged “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic” and “other global health crises.”
The president also complained of “unfairly onerous payments” paid by the U.S. as part of its membership in the international organization. The WHO is funded through voluntary donations and its member states’ dues, which vary based on each country’s population size and wealth.
The executive order contained directions to pause all U.S. funds to the WHO, reassign American contractors working for the organization and seek out other health organizations the U.S. could join instead.
In a press conference earlier this month, WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his “hope that the U.S. will reconsider its decision and rejoin” the organization.
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5702306-us-officially-withdraws-from-who/