Medicine and Science from The BMJ Can a deal be done to keep the US in the WHO?
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Jan 24, 2025 Larry Gostin, a Georgetown University Professor of Global Health and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law, tackles the implications of the U.S. executive order to withdraw from the WHO. He argues that congressional approval is necessary for the withdrawal, not just an executive order. The discussion covers the WHO’s funding challenges, its relationship with China, and the benefits of U.S. involvement, emphasizing the critical need for reforms and international cooperation in managing global health crises.
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US and WHO History
- The US has historically been a major funder and influencer of WHO since its inception in 1948.
- Trump's executive order to withdraw marks a historic shift in this long-standing relationship.
Withdrawal Impact
- Trump's withdrawal from WHO is a cataclysmic decision with far-reaching consequences.
- WHO's global health leadership is essential, despite needing reforms.
Current Withdrawal Attempt
- Trump's previous withdrawal attempt was reversed by Biden.
- This executive order cuts funding, pulls staff, and revokes US participation in key agreements.