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PATH statement on US withdrawal from WHO

January 21, 2025 by PATH

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a critical role in keeping Americans and the world safe from deadly diseases and health threats. We urge the Trump Administration to reconsider its position on US withdrawal from WHO. At a time when we are facing multiple health crises—including mpox, cholera, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—a strong and effective WHO is more important than ever.

PATH has partnered with WHO for nearly five decades, witnessing firsthand the organization’s lifesaving impact. From strengthening disease surveillance and establishing early warning systems to improving capacity for mRNA vaccine manufacturing that will accelerate outbreak response, supporting the rollout of the world’s first malaria vaccine, and helping eliminate meningitis outbreaks in Africa, WHO’s lifesaving efforts advance US health and development goals.

The US holds a pivotal leadership role within the WHO, helping shape its priorities, promoting reforms, and ensuring alignment with American interests. As just one example, the WHO’s “Transforming for Impact” program, launched during Trump’s first Administration, is one of many initiatives strengthening WHO’s fiscal management, operational efficiency, and procurement processes. In its most recent investment round, the WHO secured pledges from 70 donors, with more than half making voluntary contributions for the first time—a testament to the growing global commitment to strengthening health security worldwide.

A US withdrawal from WHO will create a leadership vacuum that will increase local and global vulnerabilities to infectious disease and emerging health threats. By maintaining US membership in WHO, the US can protect its interests and harness its influence to:

  • Continue to broaden WHO’s donor base, reducing over-reliance on US funding.
  • Strengthen transparency and operational performance.
  • Support improvements to regulatory mechanisms like WHO’s global priority review process, enabling timely access to lifesaving products worldwide.
  • Enhance the world’s preparedness for future pandemics.

With continued US leadership, WHO can better protect health at home and abroad, advancing shared US priorities and ensuring a safer, healthier world for all.