The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), removing itself as one of the UN agency’s largest donors and a key participant in global health initiatives. Following the pandemic, WHO member states worked on an international pandemic treaty to ensure fair sharing of vaccines and treatments and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks. Traditionally, the United States has been one of the largest financial contributors to the WHO, but Washington did not pay its membership fees for 2024 and 2025, causing significant job losses within the organisation. They added that future US engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to safeguard the health and safety of Americans. In response to questions about US participation in global health initiatives like polio and HIV programs, officials said partnerships would continue through NGOs and faith-based groups, though no specific arrangements have been disclosed.
