The United States officially terminated its 78-year membership in the World Health Organization (WHO) today, January 23, 2026, marking a seismic shift in global health governance and the culmination of a year-long process initiated by President Donald Trump on his first day in office.
In a joint statement released early Friday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed that the United States has "freed itself from the constraints" of the United Nations health agency. The move effectively ends the U.S. role as the organization’s largest financial contributor and a founding member since 1948.
The Grounds for Exit
The administration’s decision follows through on a formal notification sent to the UN on January 20, 2025. In their joint address, Rubio and Kennedy cited "profound and persistent failures" within the WHO, particularly regarding its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The WHO pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests,” the statement read. The administration further accused the agency of obstructing the timely sharing of critical health data and failing to demand transparency from China regarding the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Wuhan.
By withdrawing, the administration argues it is restoring accountability to U.S. taxpayers. All funding, which historically accounted for approximately 15% to 20% of the WHO’s total budget, has been officially ceased. Furthermore, U.S. personnel and contractors embedded in WHO headquarters in Geneva and regional offices worldwide have been recalled.
A Legal and Financial Dispute
Despite the U.S. declaration of a completed exit, the withdrawal is mired in legal and financial controversy. Under the 1948 joint resolution that saw the U.S. join the WHO, the nation is required to give one year's notice and crucially meet all financial obligations before leaving.
WHO legal officers and international health experts have pointed out that the U.S. still owes approximately $278 million in outstanding membership dues for the 2024–2025 biennium.
"While the one-year notice period has lapsed, the condition of full payment remains unmet," said Steven Solomon, the WHO’s principal legal officer. "The question of how to handle a withdrawal that violates agreed-upon financial terms is a matter that will be referred to the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly in May."
The Trump administration has signaled it has no intention of paying the arrears, arguing that the "failed" nature of the organization renders the debt moot.
Impact on Global Health Infrastructure
The departure leaves a massive vacuum in global disease surveillance. The U.S. has traditionally provided the technical expertise and the bulk of funding for programs targeting polio eradication, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Public health experts warn that the withdrawal could trigger a "slow bleed" of international health security. "This is a penny-wise and billion-dollar-foolish move," said Michael Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. "Without U.S. participation in the global data-sharing network, our ability to detect the next pandemic early or even to correctly formulate the annual flu vaccine is significantly compromised."
The administration, however, maintains that it will lead through a "results-driven" model of bilateral partnerships. Secretary Kennedy stated that the U.S. would pivot to direct cooperation with "trusted allies" and independent health institutions, bypassing what he termed the "bloated and inefficient" UN bureaucracy.
Geopolitical Realignments
As the U.S. departs, geopolitical rivals are moving to fill the void. Observers in Geneva noted that China, India, and several Middle Eastern nations have already begun increasing their voluntary contributions to the WHO, potentially gaining greater influence over global health standards and emergency response protocols.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has frequently described the U.S. withdrawal as a "lose-lose situation," issued a brief statement today expressing regret. "The world is safer when we work together. The door remains open should the United States choose to rejoin the global community in its fight against disease."
For now, that door appears firmly shut. As of this morning, U.S. officials confirmed that engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to "administrative matters necessary to effectuate the exit."
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