US formally exits World Health Organization after 78 years of membership
The United States has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, ending nearly eight decades as a member of the UN health body, US officials announced on Thursday.
The withdrawal took effect on Jan. 22, 2026, after the expiration of the mandatory one-year notice period required under international agreements.
In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed the move, saying the US had freed itself from what they described as the constraints of the WHO.
The officials cited alleged failures by the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its response to the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. They accused the WHO of bureaucratic inefficiency, political bias and delays in sharing critical information, arguing that it acted against US interests under the influence of countries hostile to Washington.
According to the statement, US engagement with the WHO will now be limited solely to completing administrative aspects of the withdrawal and ensuring the protection of public health at home. All US funding and staffing support for WHO programmes has been terminated, and American personnel have been recalled.
The administration said it will instead pursue bilateral partnerships and independent initiatives to advance global health objectives.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly voiced regret over the decision, warning that the withdrawal represents a “lose-lose” outcome and is not in the best interest of global health cooperation.
Founded on April 7, 1948, the WHO counted the United States among the original signatories to its constitution in 1946, with Washington formally ratifying membership in June 1948.
President Donald Trump has long been a vocal critic of the organization, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. He accused the WHO of mishandling the early response, maintaining close ties with China and repeating inaccurate information from Beijing, as well as politicizing the crisis.
Trump has also argued that the US bore an unfair share of the organization’s financial burden compared to other countries, including China. Acting on those criticisms during his second term, the administration initiated the withdrawal process in 2025, culminating in the formal exit this year.
