On January 22, 2026, the United States government officially withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending more than 78 years of membership in the global health body.
This withdrawal became final after a one‑year notice period that began when President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025 directing the U.S. to leave the WHO.
The U.S. said it was leaving because it believed the WHO did not handle the COVID‑19 pandemic well and failed to make necessary reforms.
According to the government, the WHO took too long to declare a global health emergency during the pandemic and did not act independently from political influences. U.S. officials called for better accountability and transparency in global health work.
During the withdrawal process, the United States stopped all funding to the WHO. U.S. staff working with the organization were recalled, and the country stopped participating in committees and meetings managed by the WHO.
The U.S. also said it plans to work directly with other nations and organizations on health issues, rather than through the WHO’s system.
The WHO is a part of the United Nations and works with almost all countries in the world. Its job is to coordinate international responses to health threats like outbreaks of disease, help poorer nations improve health, and guide work on vaccines and treatments.
For many decades, the United States was one of its biggest supporters, paying hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
The U.S. still owes money to the WHO for unpaid dues from previous years. Some reports say this amount is over $130 million, though estimates vary. There are disagreements over whether the U.S. must pay this debt before leaving, but the WHO says the money is still owed.
Many health experts and leaders around the world reacted with concern to the withdrawal. They warn that removing the United States from the WHO could weaken the global fight against diseases, reduce the flow of important health information, and make it harder to coordinate responses to future pandemics.
Some also say the decision might reduce the influence of the U.S. in global health decisions.
Despite these worries, U.S. officials say the country will continue global health work through other partnerships and efforts outside the WHO system.
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