United States Officially Leaves WHO, Citing COVID-19 Failures and Funding Disputes, Raising Global Health Concerns

The United States officially left the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday. This ends years of U.S. participation in the global health body. Washington blamed the WHO for mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office in 2025 to start the exit.

The U.S. will maintain only limited contact with the WHO. A senior health official said the country will not observe, participate, or rejoin. Instead, it plans to work directly with other nations on disease surveillance and public health priorities.

Funding disputes were central to the departure. U.S. law requires one-year notice and payment of outstanding fees, around $260 million. A State Department official said full payment is not required before leaving. “The American people have paid more than enough,” the spokesperson said. The Department of Health and Human Services said Trump paused future U.S. funding, citing high costs. Witnesses reported that the U.S. flag was removed from WHO headquarters in Geneva.

The exit has caused a financial crisis at the WHO. The agency has cut its management team by half. It will reduce staff by roughly a quarter by mid-year. The U.S. had been the WHO’s largest contributor, funding 18% of its budget. Experts warn the move could weaken global systems to detect and fight health threats. Kelly Henning of Bloomberg Philanthropies said it “could endanger U.S. and global public health.”

Critics condemned the withdrawal. Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown University called it a “clear violation of U.S. law.” Bill Gates said the world still needs the WHO. He urged the U.S. to reconsider. WHO officials confirmed member states will discuss the U.S. departure at the executive board in February.

The U.S. exit marks a major shift in global health cooperation. It raises serious questions about America’s role in international health and pandemic response in the years ahead.