U.S COMPLETES WITHDRAWAL FROM WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION . (PHOTO).

 U.S completes withdrawal from World Health Organization 

  The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, finalizing a decision announced one year ago by President Donald Trump to end the country’s 78-year relationship with the global health body. Federal officials confirmed the exit on Thursday, though they acknowledged the separation is not a clean break. The U.S. still owes more than $130 million in outstanding obligations, and administration officials conceded that several unresolved issues remain, including the loss of access to international disease surveillance data that has historically provided early warnings of emerging health threats.

The World Health Organization serves as the United Nations’ primary public health agency, coordinating responses to outbreaks such as Ebola, mpox, and polio, setting global health guidelines, and assisting lower-income nations with vaccines, treatments, and medical infrastructure. Nearly every country in the world is a member. For decades, the U.S. played a central role in shaping the organization, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually and supplying specialized expertise through American public health agencies. On average, the U.S. paid roughly $111 million per year in mandatory dues, along with hundreds of millions more in voluntary contributions that supported disease eradication programs, maternal and child health initiatives, and pandemic preparedness.

Trump cited the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as a primary reason for the withdrawal, arguing that it failed to respond effectively and did not adopt needed reforms. He also accused the agency of being overly influenced by member states and lacking independence. Administration officials have additionally pointed to longstanding frustration that none of the WHO’s directors-general have been American, despite the scale of U.S. financial and scientific involvement. Public health experts note that the WHO made significant missteps during the pandemic, including early guidance on masks and delayed acknowledgment of airborne transmission, though they argue those failures do not outweigh the benefits of global coordination.

Since the withdrawal took effect, the U.S. has halted participation in WHO committees, leadership bodies, and technical working groups. That includes groups responsible for tracking circulating influenza strains and guiding updates to seasonal flu vaccines, a system that has historically helped ensure rapid vaccine development and deployment. Experts warn that stepping away from global disease intelligence could slow responses to outbreaks and weaken the ability of U.S. researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop countermeasures against new threats.

Administration officials say the U.S. plans to rely on direct, country-to-country public health relationships instead of working through the WHO, though they have not detailed how many such agreements exist or how comprehensive they will be. Public health specialists argue that approach is unlikely to replicate the breadth of global data sharing previously available, particularly with countries where emerging viruses are often first detected. They also note that diplomatic tensions and trade disputes could further complicate information sharing.

The withdrawal has also sparked legal debate. Critics argue that because the U.S. joined the WHO through an act of Congress, leaving the organization should likewise require congressional approval. While the administration provided the required one-year notice, the WHO maintains that the U.S. is still obligated to pay outstanding dues accrued before the withdrawal took effect, totaling more than $133 million for 2024 and 2025. Administration officials dispute that interpretation, insisting the U.S. has no remaining financial obligations now that it is no longer a member.