US Exits WHO After 78 Years, Creating Funding and Leadership Void

• The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization, ending a 78-year relationship that began with WHO's founding in 1948.
• The exit follows President Donald Trump's January 2025 executive order, triggering a one-year withdrawal process, citing WHO's handling of COVID-19 and governance concerns.
• The US was the largest financial contributor, providing approximately 18% of WHO's total funding, including $110-120 million in mandatory dues and $500-600 million in voluntary contributions.
• The withdrawal has caused a financial crisis at WHO, leading to staff cuts, reduced budgets, and concerns about weakened global pandemic preparedness.
• The US will no longer participate in WHO-led disease surveillance or pandemic response, opting for bilateral and regional partnerships, with no plans to rejoin.

Why It Matters: The US withdrawal from WHO creates a major funding and leadership gap, impacting global health coordination.