On January 22, 2026, the United States officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a process that was initiated by the Trump administration in 2025. This decision marks a significant shift in the U.S.’s global health policy, reflecting a growing frustration with the WHO’s handling of past health crises, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as concerns over political influence within the organization.
U.S. health officials explained that their decision to sever ties with the WHO was driven by a belief that the organization had failed to effectively manage key global health issues. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, served as a pivotal moment that deepened dissatisfaction with the WHO’s operations. Criticism centered around the agency’s perceived delay in responding to the outbreak, as well as its handling of communications with China, which many felt compromised global transparency and response efforts.
This move has sparked widespread concern among public health experts, who warn that the U.S. withdrawal could significantly weaken international cooperation on global health initiatives. The WHO has historically played a vital role in coordinating global efforts on infectious disease surveillance, vaccine distribution, and outbreak response. Without U.S. participation, critics fear that the global health landscape may become fragmented, making it more difficult to respond to future pandemics and other health emergencies.
In response to the withdrawal, U.S. health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have announced that they will seek alternative bilateral and multilateral partnerships to continue their engagement on critical global health issues. These agencies emphasized that while they will no longer be part of the WHO framework, they are committed to maintaining a strong presence in global health efforts. Their strategy will likely involve deeper collaborations with individual countries, regional organizations, and other international bodies focused on health.
The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO marks a major shift in the country’s role in global health governance. It is expected to have far-reaching implications for international health policy, especially in the context of future pandemic preparedness and response. While the U.S. will continue to be a key player in global health through its own initiatives, the absence of formal participation in the WHO raises important questions about the future of multilateral health cooperation. The global health community now faces the challenge of adapting to a new reality where the U.S. is no longer a part of the WHO’s decision-making processes, potentially reshaping the landscape of international health diplomacy.
