In executive order “Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization” (WHO), President Donald Trump ordered this withdrawal on the grounds that the organization mismanaged the COVID-19 pandemic, failed to act independently from the “inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” and requires the U.S. to make “unfairly onerous payments.”
Since the U.S. is WHO’s top donor country, supplying $958 million — or 18% — of WHO’s budget, this withdrawal is quite the financial blow to the organization. Interestingly, 70% of the U.S.’s contribution is supplied by voluntary donations from American citizens, but the U.S.’s withdrawal will no doubt tank individual donations.
According to a memo released on Jan. 23, WHO has halted recruitment and reduced travel expenditures in non-critical areas to respond to the acute financial situation.
From Feb. 3-11, the World Health Organization is holding a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland with member state representatives to discuss the 2026-2027 period budget. So far, released documents show that the executive board has proposed a $400 million base program budget cut, reducing the program funding for polio eradication and crisis responses.
The rapid pace at which WHO has responded to the U.S.’s withdrawal has given someAmericans the impression that the U.S. will be immediately removed from WHO. On the contrary, the U.S. still must pay this year’s dues and remain enrolled for a full year after submitting the official notice of withdrawal.
NIH
On Jan. 21, the Trump administration issued a memo to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) parent organization, ordering a stop to the publishing of regulations, guidance documents, grant announcements, social media posts, press releases and the canceling of speaking engagements through Feb. 1. Any exceptions to this order must have been applied for and approved by Trump’sappointees.
On Jan. 27, the White House Office of Management and Budget released a memo ordering federal agencies to stop paying grants and loans that contradict executive orders on immigration, foreign aid and energy, as well as those on diversity, equity and inclusion. On Jan. 28, a federal judge temporarily blocked the order and on Jan. 29 the White House Office on Management and Budget rescinded the statement.
These memos may have since expired, but the effects still ripple throughout the public health community as research, researcher training, grant proposal review and scientific updates are now behind schedule, putting the health and safety of Americans at risk.
CDC
The aforementioned memos also negatively impacted the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On Jan. 23, for the first time in 70 years, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) was not published. This publication contained three new discoveries regarding H5N1 (bird flu) which is an active American biosecurity threat.
DEI
On Jan. 21, the Trump administration released a memorandum ordering that federal employees in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices should be placed on administrative leave by 5 p.m. on Jan. 22.
This is particularly important in the field of public health as DEI practices ensure that healthcare and research include the unique needs of diverse patient populations.
