January 20, 2025 (New York, NY) – The decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization makes Americans – and the world – less safe. WHO can and should be strengthened, as it remains the only organization in the world with the reach, relationships, and infrastructure to improve global prevention and response to pandemics and other global health emergencies. The plain truth is that WHO is irreplaceable.
WHO’s track record demonstrates its value to the world. The historic U.S.-Soviet collaboration through WHO to eradicate smallpox – one of humanity’s greatest achievements – shows how cooperation on global health can transcend political differences to protect everyone. WHO prevents millions of deaths globally by supporting country programs on vaccination; public health surveillance; emergency response; programs to combat cancer, stroke, heart attacks, and other non-communicable diseases; and other efforts.
Withdrawing from WHO not only cuts crucial funding from the agency, but it also surrenders our role as a global health leader and silences America’s voice in critical decisions affecting global health security. Real reform requires engagement, not abandonment. We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it. This decision weakens America’s influence and increases the risk of a deadly pandemic.