The United States Withdrawal From the World Health Organization: Implications and Challenges

  • Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi
  • , Ali Akbar Haghdoost
  • , Martin Mckee
  • , Amirhossein Takian
  • , Elizabeth Bradley
  • , Ruairi Brugha
  • , Nir Eyal
  • , Sana Eybpoosh
  • , Lawrence Gostin
  • , Naoki Ikegami
  • , Ilona Kickbusch
  • , Ronald Labonté
  • , Russell Mannion
  • , Ole F. Norheim
  • , Jeremy Shiffman
  • , Mohammad Karamouzian*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorialpeer-review

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Abstract

President Trump’s 2025 decision to remove the United States (US) from the World Health Organization (WHO), echoing his initial 2020 move, raises existential questions about the future of global health governance. This editorial explores the immediate and long-term potential impacts of the withdrawal, noting that it poses a significant threat to the WHO financing. This, in turn, will have adverse consequences for future pandemic preparedness, health inequities, and cross-border collaboration. We also explore the potential role of private philanthropies in bridging the funding gap, against the risk of shifting health priorities away from local needs. For the US, withdrawal means diminished influence on global health policies and weaker alignment with new international regulations. Moving forward, structural reforms within the WHO, equitable contributions from global powers, and renewed US involvement are essential to maintain strong health systems worldwide. Ultimately, a collaborative approach is necessary to uphold collective preparedness against emerging health crises.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management
Early online date18 Mar 2025
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 18 Mar 2025

Keywords

  • Global Health
  • Nationalism
  • Political Determinants of Health
  • United States of America
  • World Health Organization

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