WORLD
Advocates Philippines
Breaking Away: The U.S. Officially Withdraws From The World Health Organization
Photo credit: White House
In a move that's making waves across the globe, the United States has officially announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision, signed into action by an executive order on January 20, 2025, marks a significant shift in the country's approach to global health diplomacy.
So, why is the U.S. stepping away from one of the most prominent international health bodies? According to the executive order, the reasons are multifaceted. The U.S. has been dissatisfied with the WHO's handling of global health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China. The order cites the organization's failure to implement necessary reforms and its susceptibility to political influence from member states as key concerns. Another sticking point? The financial burden. The U.S. argues that it's been contributing disproportionately more to the WHO's budget compared to other nations like China, which has a much larger population but pays significantly less.
This isn't the first time the U.S. has toyed with the idea of leaving the WHO. Back in 2020, a similar move was announced but later retracted in 2021. Now, with this new executive order, the withdrawal process is back on track. The order outlines several immediate actions, including halting U.S. funding to the WHO, recalling U.S. personnel working with the organization, and finding new partners to take over roles previously handled by the WHO.
What's next for the U.S. in the global health arena? The order hints at a shift towards working with more "credible and transparent" partners and a revamp of the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy. It's clear that the U.S. is looking to chart its own course in global health, emphasizing national security and biosecurity.
As the U.S. moves to untangle itself from the WHO, the world watches to see how this decision will impact international health efforts. Will it spark a new era of health diplomacy, or will it create gaps in global health leadership? Only time will tell.
So, why is the U.S. stepping away from one of the most prominent international health bodies? According to the executive order, the reasons are multifaceted. The U.S. has been dissatisfied with the WHO's handling of global health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China. The order cites the organization's failure to implement necessary reforms and its susceptibility to political influence from member states as key concerns. Another sticking point? The financial burden. The U.S. argues that it's been contributing disproportionately more to the WHO's budget compared to other nations like China, which has a much larger population but pays significantly less.
This isn't the first time the U.S. has toyed with the idea of leaving the WHO. Back in 2020, a similar move was announced but later retracted in 2021. Now, with this new executive order, the withdrawal process is back on track. The order outlines several immediate actions, including halting U.S. funding to the WHO, recalling U.S. personnel working with the organization, and finding new partners to take over roles previously handled by the WHO.
What's next for the U.S. in the global health arena? The order hints at a shift towards working with more "credible and transparent" partners and a revamp of the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy. It's clear that the U.S. is looking to chart its own course in global health, emphasizing national security and biosecurity.
As the U.S. moves to untangle itself from the WHO, the world watches to see how this decision will impact international health efforts. Will it spark a new era of health diplomacy, or will it create gaps in global health leadership? Only time will tell.
Jan 21, 2025
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