Consequences of Trump's Withdrawal from the WHO on American Public Health

President Trump's decision to withdraw from the WHO may hinder the U.S.'s access to vital health data and global health agenda-setting, with potential repercussions for public health domestically and abroad.

President Trump’s recent move to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) has ignited concerns over the potential ramifications—not just internationally, but for American citizens as well. Public health experts warn that this disengagement may impede crucial access to emerging health data, including information about outbreaks such as mpox and resurgent threats like malaria and measles.

Beyond health threats, the withdrawal raises alarms over increased global health influence by other countries, especially Russia and China, which could shift the international health agenda away from American interests. The WHO plays an integral role in many areas that directly affect U.S. residents. These include maintaining the International Classification of Diseases used by healthcare professionals, coordinating flu vaccine formulations based on global surveillance data, and managing key data on drug resistance.

Loyce Pace, former Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services under President Biden, emphasized the collaborative nature of combating health crises, stating, “America, no matter how great we are, cannot do this work alone.” Her remarks highlight the collective efforts necessary to tackle global health issues, indicating that withdrawal could compromise these efforts.

While the official process of exit will take at least a year and faces possible congressional hurdles, immediate effects are already being felt, with the WHO initiating significant cutbacks in response to the U.S. decision. The implications of this strategic shift could not only curtail vital health initiatives worldwide but also place American interests in jeopardy as the landscape for global health governance evolves.