US Withdraws from WHO: COVID-19 Response & Reform Concerns | 2026 Update
On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of State announced the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision follows a year-long process initiated by President Trump on January 20, 2025, and stems from concerns regarding the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader organizational issues.
The Path to Withdrawal
The U.S. ceased funding to the WHO and withdrew all personnel during the year leading up to the official withdrawal. Activities previously conducted in collaboration with the WHO have been redirected towards direct bilateral engagements with other countries and organizations. Following the exit, coordination with the WHO will be limited to matters directly related to the withdrawal process itself.
Concerns Regarding the Pandemic Response
The decision to withdraw is rooted in specific criticisms of the WHO’s early response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China. The WHO was criticized for delaying the declaration of a global public health emergency and a pandemic, a delay that reportedly cost the world critical time as the virus spread.
During the early stages of the pandemic, WHO leadership reportedly echoed and praised China’s response, despite evidence suggesting early underreporting of cases, suppression of information, and delays in confirming human-to-human transmission. The organization also downplayed the risks of asymptomatic transmission and failed to promptly acknowledge the airborne spread of the virus.
Post-Pandemic Reforms and Origins Report
Following the pandemic, the WHO did not adopt reforms deemed meaningful enough to address concerns about political influence, governance weaknesses, and poor coordination. This lack of reform reinforced concerns that political considerations may have taken precedence over rapid, independent public health action, ultimately eroding global trust in the organization.
The WHO’s report evaluating the possible origins of COVID-19 rejected the possibility that the virus was created in a laboratory, despite China’s refusal to provide genetic sequences from early infections and information regarding the activities and biosafety conditions of laboratories in Wuhan.
Looking Ahead
The U.S. government asserts its continued commitment to global health leadership through existing and new engagements with other countries, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based entities. U.S.-led efforts are expected to prioritize emergency response, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation, with a focus on protecting American interests while also providing benefits to international partners. It is possible that the U.S. may seek to establish alternative frameworks for international health cooperation. Analysts expect that the absence of U.S. funding and leadership could impact the WHO’s ability to effectively respond to future global health crises. A possible next step could involve the U.S. developing new bilateral agreements focused on disease surveillance and outbreak response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the U.S. withdraw from the WHO?
The U.S. withdrew from the WHO due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.
What actions did the U.S. take during the withdrawal process?
During the year-long process, the U.S. stopped funding the WHO, withdrew all personnel, and began pivoting activities previously conducted with the WHO to direct bilateral engagements with other countries and organizations.
What will the U.S. do now regarding global health leadership?
The U.S. government will continue its global health leadership through existing and new engagements directly with other countries, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based entities, prioritizing emergency response, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation.
As the U.S. navigates this new path in global health, how might this shift impact international collaboration and pandemic preparedness efforts worldwide?