The U.S. and the WHO: An Imperfect but Essential Relationship

On the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The order was expected, as he attempted this during his first term, in July 2020. However, because WHO withdrawal requires a one-year notice, the decision did not take effect and was reversed by President Biden when he took office in 2021.

In this Q&A, adapted from the January 28 episode of Public Health On Call, Judd Walson, MD, MPH, Robert E. Black Chair in International Health, talks to host Stephanie Desmon about the essential roles WHO plays in monitoring and responding to health issues around the world and the consequences this decision could have on health and security in the U.S. and worldwide. For more information on this please click here