Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of State announced the completion of the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing dissatisfaction with the WHO's response to the COVID-19 pandemic originating in Wuhan, China.
The withdrawal process began in January 2025, during which the U.S. ceased funding, withdrew all personnel, and shifted activities previously coordinated with WHO to direct bilateral engagements with other countries and organizations. The U.S. will continue limited coordination with WHO to facilitate the withdrawal.
The U.S. criticized WHO for delaying the declaration of a global public health emergency and pandemic in the early stages, resulting in lost critical time as the virus spread. WHO leadership was also reproached for echoing and praising China's response despite evidence of early underreporting, suppression of information, and delays in confirming human-to-human transmission. Additional concerns included downplaying asymptomatic transmission and slow recognition of airborne spread.
Following the pandemic, WHO did not implement meaningful reforms to address political influence, governance weaknesses, or coordination challenges, raising concerns that political considerations were prioritized over swift, independent public health actions, which undermined global trust. WHO’s report into COVID-19 origins rejected the lab creation hypothesis despite China's refusal to share genetic sequences from early cases or information on Wuhan laboratory activities and biosafety conditions.
The U.S. affirmed its position as a leader in global public health, stating intentions to continue leadership in emergency response, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation through direct engagements with countries, the private sector, NGOs, and faith-based groups. This approach aims to prioritize protecting American public health while benefitting international partners.