Title: Scrapping Ties with WHO: Trump's Planned Executive Order
On the inaugural day of his second term, President Trump initiated the process to exit the World Health Organization (WHO) by signing an executive order. This action would precipitate the withdrawal of the United States, leading to a 22% reduction in the WHO's funding, thereby posing a massive challenge to the organization's worldwide health missions.
Historically, the U.S. has been an essential financial backbone for the WHO, contributing $1.2 billion in 2023—twice as much as any other nation. As a pivotal international public health entity, boasting 194 member states, the WHO plays a vital role in global health security, disease outbreak management, and mobilizing cooperation between various public and private entities.
The absence of an organization comparable to the WHO leaves a significant gap in global health security, including the coordination of rapid international response efforts, the dissemination of medical research, and the provision of critical intelligence. The WHO's contributions extend beyond the management of diseases, such as Ebola and measles, to the eradication of illnesses like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. It also tackles the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), afflicting more than one billion individuals worldwide, primarily impacting underprivileged and marginalized populations.
Founded in 1948, the WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, operating as a subsidiary of the United Nations. Its mandate involves international public health coordination with numerous participating nations, providing assistance in vaccination campaigns, water sanitation projects, and emergency health responses.
Under U.S. law, unilateral withdrawal from the WHO violates congressional approval requirements, necessitating a one-year notice period and completion of financial obligations to the agency for the current year. The Trump administration first hinted at WHO exit in 2020, citing concerns over the organization's alleged mismanagement and cover-up of the coronavirus outbreak, initially perpetuated by false reports from China.
Despite the Biden administration's return to the WHO, U.S. Congressional opposition persisted, challenging the organization's failure to implement mandated reforms and raising concerns about perceived political influence on various member states. As of now, the U.S. continues to be the WHO's largest benefactor, maintaining a delicate balance between its role in global health governance and domestic concerns regarding financial and political entanglements.
Despite the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization due to COVID-19 related concerns, an executive order was signed in 2020. This move was later reversed by the Biden administration. However, the neglected tropical diseases, affecting over a billion people, continue to require global attention and funding. The Trump administration's executive order, aimed at exiting the WHO, could have impacted pandemic preparedness and response globally, given the WHO's crucial role in coordinating international health efforts during pandemics.
