US Exits WHO, Leaves $260 Million Debt; Global Health Impact Feared

• The US is set to officially withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 22, despite warnings of harm to global health.
• The departure violates US law requiring payment of $260 million in outstanding fees to the UN health agency.
• President Donald Trump initiated the withdrawal, which requires a one-year notice and full payment of dues before departure.
• WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Bill Gates have expressed concerns, with Gates not expecting a quick US return.
• The US withdrawal creates a budgetary crisis for WHO, leading to staff cuts and reduced operations, impacting global health collaborations.

Why It Matters: The US withdrawal from WHO, leaving significant debt, raises major concerns for global health and cooperation.