The US is currently the largest financial contributor to the WHO (link: https://open.who.int/2024-25/contributors/contributor?name=United%20States%20of%20America). As a result of the US’s withdrawal, the WHO will likely experience further budgetary constraints such as hiring freezes and reduced field engagement limiting its ability to advance its mission. The US will also cease its contributions to global health data and coordination, diminishing its influence in international health decision-making and leaving it without negotiating power in key areas such as pandemic response and global disease surveillance. Therefore, the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO under EO 14155 threatens to disrupt global health coordination, weakening access to critical resources such as vaccines, disease surveillance, and maternal health guidelines that disproportionately benefit Black and other marginalized communities. Without the WHO’s infrastructure and expertise, vulnerable populations may face delayed responses to health threats, reduced access to life-saving interventions, and worsening disparities in public health outcomes.
A directive issued by the President that manages operations of the federal government. Executive orders have the force of law but must align with existing statutes and constitutional authority.
Who It Impacts: Federal agencies and employees, directing them on how to implement laws or carry out government functions. Executive orders can also influence businesses and individuals when they relate to issues like immigration, trade, or labor policies.
Who Is Not Impacted: Private citizens and businesses do not have to directly follow an executive order unless it leads to regulations or policies that apply to them. For example, an executive order directing federal agencies to increase renewable energy use does not mandate action from private companies, but it may influence policy shifts that eventually affect them.
Summary
This Executive Order announces the US intends to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). While the Trump administration previously issued a withdrawal notification in July 2020, President Biden rescinded that decision upon taking office. EO 14155 now directs a cessation of US funding, support, and resources to the WHO, the reassignment of government employees working with the WHO, and the development of public health safeguards as necessary. Additionally, it calls for a review and replacement of the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy and requires identifying credible international partners to take over roles formerly fulfilled by the WHO.
Impact Analysis
Legal Challenges
Take Institutional Action
- Healthcare institutions should coordinate with local and state health officials to assess potential impacts of the withdrawal on your organization and local community and advocate for equitable funding and policy solutions to address gaps left by the WHO, with a focus on maternal health, chronic disease, and health equity.
- Leaders in health care institutions should engage with federal policy makers, such as local members of congress, about the importance of public health collaboration and the consequences of to the health of the local community with the US' withdrawal from the WHO
- Healthcare institutions should continue to monitor the global stage for updates to the WHO and its policies, as they are still relevant to U.S. healthcare
- Local public health leaders should work to strengthen partnerships with alternative global organizations and academic institutions to maintain access to global health data, vaccines, research collaborations, and outbreak alerts independent of WHO channels
- Healthcare institutions should coordinate with state and local health officials to Invest in public health infrastructure and education, including - if necessary - surveillance systems
Associated or Derivative Policies
WHO Pandemic Agreement: https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R1-en.pdf
Additional Resources
The U.S. Government and the World Health Organization - https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/fact-sheet/the-u-s-government-and-the-world-health-organization/
The U.S. and the WHO: An Imperfect but Essential Relationship - https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/the-consequences-of-the-us-withdrawal-from-the-who
Statement from Leading Physician Groups on Announcement to Withdraw U.S. from the World Health Organization - https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/statement-from-physician-on-withdrawing-from-who
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