The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending its membership after a year of warnings from global health experts that the move could weaken public health systems both domestically and worldwide.
The decision follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on the first day of his return to office in 2025, triggering the formal one-year withdrawal process. U.S. officials said the exit reflects dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader concerns about the agency’s management.
According to statements from the U.S. Departments of Health and State, Washington will now engage with the WHO only in a limited capacity to finalise the withdrawal and has no intention of returning, even as an observer. A senior government health official said the U.S. plans to work directly with individual countries on disease surveillance and public health priorities rather than through international organisations.
The withdrawal has sparked a dispute over outstanding membership fees, with the WHO saying the U.S. owes around $260 million for 2024 and 2025. While U.S. law requires a one-year notice and payment of outstanding dues before departure, State Department officials argued that no such payment condition exists, insisting the U.S. has already contributed enough financially.
The U.S. flag was removed from outside the WHO headquarters in Geneva on Thursday, marking the end of its formal participation. The move comes as Washington also exits other United Nations bodies, raising concerns among analysts that the administration’s actions could weaken the broader multilateral system.
Health experts and international leaders have urged the U.S. to reconsider, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Bill Gates, whose foundation is a major global health funder, said he does not expect a swift reversal but will continue advocating for U.S. re-engagement, stressing that the world still needs the WHO.
The U.S. exit has already triggered a financial crisis for the WHO, which has cut its management team in half, reduced programme budgets, and announced plans to shed about a quarter of its workforce by mid-2026. The U.S. had previously been the agency’s largest donor, contributing roughly 18% of its overall funding.
Global health experts warn that the withdrawal could weaken international systems for detecting, preventing, and responding to future health threats, posing risks not only to the WHO but also to the United States and the wider global community.
