This week President Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization. This decision may be a setback for global public health, particularly considering that the U.S. funds about 20% of the WHO’s budget. But could it actually be a good thing too?
Withdrawing The United States From The World Health Organization – The White House
The WHO’s work is indispensable in developing countries, where it provides essential services such as disease surveillance, emergency response, and health education. The loss of U.S. funding threatens these programs, potentially leading to setbacks in controlling diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Communities that rely on WHO support may experience increased health disparities and diminished ability to respond to health emergencies.
The U.S. is the largest financial supporter of the WHO, contributing over $400 million annually. This funding is important for the WHO’s operations, especially in developing nations where the organization plays a vital role in combating infectious diseases, supporting vaccination programs, and strengthening health systems. Without U.S. contributions, these initiatives face financial shortfalls, potentially leading to reduced services and increased vulnerability to health crises.
By withdrawing from the WHO, the U.S. also gives up its seat and voting rights at the World Health Assembly and Executive Board, the organization’s decision-making bodies responsible for electing the Director-General, approving budgets, and setting global health policies. This absence diminishes the U.S.’s ability to influence international health priorities and opens the door for other nations (e.g. China) to assume a dominant role in shaping the global health agenda. But considering this administration’s hostility toward evidence based public health policy – could the US’ removal from the body actually do more good than harm over the next 4 years?
Trump leaves the WHO: Here are seven possible impacts on the U.S. and the world | Science | AAAS
Given the Trump administration’s opposition to evidence-based global public health initiatives, perhaps the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO will be a good thing overall as Trump administration functionaries will no longer have a voice at the WHO Executive Board and World Health Assembly and will be unable to negatively influence WHO policies, priorities, and operations for the next 4 years.
WHO Governance
In other words, while the WHO will need to make some budget cuts and increase revenues somehow – at least they’ll be free from unhealthy meddling by the US for the next few years.