And so it begins: Trump orders U.S. to pull out of World Health Organization
Wed, 01/22/2025 - 11:52am
US exit from WHO could see fifth of budget disappear
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Oooh, that's a big one," the newly inaugurated US president said as he approved the document after arriving back at the White House. It was one of dozens of executive actions he put his signature to on day one in office.
...Under the Biden administration the US continued to be the largest funder of the WHO and in 2023 it contributed almost one-fifth of the agency's budget.
The organisation's annual budget is $6.8bn (£5.5bn).
It is possible that funding could disappear almost immediately, and it is not clear that other nations will step up to fill the gap.
A US withdrawal could have an impact on WHO's ability to respond to emergencies such as an Ebola outbreak, or MPOX – let alone another Covid-19-style pandemic.
Public health experts have suggested there could be other consequences for Americans' health if progress is reversed on fighting infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and Aids.
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