Washington, D.C. – The United States has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that the United States’ 78-year membership in the WHO has ended, one year after the initial decision to withdraw was made.
The department confirmed that all U.S. funding to the WHO has been terminated, and all U.S. personnel assigned to the organization have been recalled. According to WHO estimates, the United States owes the organization over $130 million in outstanding dues.
Previously, the United States contributed significantly to the WHO, providing approximately $680 million in financial support. As a founding member and long-time major financial contributor, the U.S. provided roughly $111 million annually in membership fees and $570 million in voluntary contributions.
The decision to withdraw was initiated in January 2025, when then-President Trump signed an executive order mandating the U.S. departure from the WHO. The executive order cited concerns over the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in China in late 2019, as a primary reason for the withdrawal. Additional concerns included the organization’s alleged failure to implement necessary reforms, maintain independence from undue political influence from member states, and address other global health crises effectively.
The order also stated that the WHO continues to demand excessive and unfair payments from the United States. The implications of this withdrawal on global health initiatives remain to be seen.
