U. S. Leaves WHO: A Clash of Claims and Consequences

The U. S. made a big move in January 2025. They decided to leave the World Health Organization (WHO). This wasn't a friendly split. The Trump administration blamed the WHO for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. They said the WHO didn't share information quickly or honestly. But the WHO disagrees. They say they did their best to share information and guide countries based on the best evidence available. The WHO's director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, took to social media to respond. He said the reasons given by the U. S. for leaving were "untrue. " He also pointed out that the WHO never forced any country to lock down or mandate masks and vaccines. Instead, the WHO provided advice. Each country made its own decisions.The U. S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. , also made claims about the WHO. He said the U. S. was reclaiming its independence. But the WHO's technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove, disagreed. She said the WHO detected the COVID-19 signal early and never ignored science or Taiwan's concerns. The U. S. decision to leave the WHO could have big consequences. It might affect how the U. S. responds to future health threats. The WHO plays a crucial role in sharing information about new diseases. Without the WHO, the U. S. might miss out on important updates. This could leave Americans vulnerable to new health threats. The U. S. plans to set up its own global health system. But given the struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic, this seems like a tall order. The U. S. couldn't even set up a good system within its own borders. Leaving the WHO might not be the best move for American health.