The United States officially withdraws from the World Health Organization
The United States officially withdraws from the World Health Organization
Updated at: June 19, 2026 at 07:15 AM
On January 22, 2026, the United States officially concluded its 78-year membership with the World Health Organization (WHO).
The withdrawal process was initiated on January 20, 2025, by President Donald Trump through Executive Order 14155.
This decision marks a significant shift in U.S. international policy.
The administration justified the departure by citing grievances regarding the WHO's management of the COVID-19 pandemic, a perceived lack of structural reform, and concerns over the financial disparity in member contributions.
Following this exit, the U.S. has stopped all funding and withdrawn personnel from the agency’s offices and technical committees.
In place of the WHO, the U.S. government plans to focus on bilateral partnerships and independent global health strategies.
However, the move has sparked alarm among global health experts, who fear that this detachment may undermine future pandemic preparedness, hinder vaccine distribution efforts, and reduce the U.S.'s access to essential international health data.
