What does World Health Organization do? Director of a WHO Center speaks out amid potential US exit

President Trump, on Monday, followed through on his pre-election promise to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). In one of many executive orders he passed after his inauguration, President Trump kicked off the country's membership termination in the organization overseeing global health concerns, citing 'unfair payments' and China's influence.

Reacting to the development, Lawrence Gostin, Director of WHO Center on Global Health Law, Washinton DC, raised concerns about this President's unilateral decision. He took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:

"Trump made a unilateral decision to pull out of WHO. But we joined WHO in 1948 by an act of Congress. Trump needs Congress' approval to withdraw. His decision is too catastrophic to be made without Congress and the courts. As director of a WHO Center, I am considering a lawsuit."

What the World Health Organization Does

Formed as a health body under the United Nations in 1948, the World Health Organization is directly responsible for leading and coordinating global health efforts. In its nearly 75-year existence, the organization counts the eradication of smallpox and a near-total reduction in polio infections in recent decades as its triumphs. Its significance has been repeatedly highlighted since the beginning of this decade, particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Formed in the aftermath of the Second World War and inspired by the various international sanitary conferences of the 19th century set up against diseases like cholera, yellow fever, and plague, WHO's singular aim is to promote universal healthcare amongst the citizens of the globe.

Why is President Trump against the World Health Organization?

During the final stretch of his first term, Trump criticized the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) for being overly “China-centric” in its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He accused the organization of favoring China in its guidance during the outbreak.

Historically, the U.S. has been a major contributor to the WHO, funding its emergency appeals and broader budget, which is set at $6.8 billion for 2024-2025—a point of contention for President Trump. However, under the Biden administration, the U.S. continued as the WHO’s largest funder, contributing nearly one-fifth of the organization’s $6.8 billion budget in 2023.

The way ahead

Since the World Health Organization is funded partly through mandatory fees from member states and supplemented by voluntary contributions, the U.S. accounts for a significant portion of its voluntary funding. What the future holds for this arrangement remains to be seen.