The United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization on Thursday, one year after President Donald Trump announced plans to pull out of the preeminent global health alliance. “Withdrawing from the World Health Organization is scientifically reckless,” Ronald G. Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said in a statement. Public health experts have questioned how the U.S. can continue to be a global public health leader. As part of sweeping HHS staffing cuts last year, the CDC’s Global Health Center lost its director and some other employees. They’ve slashed global health funding around the world.”It’s unclear how the formal withdrawal will affect some key meetings where U.S. officials have historically played a major role.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 23, 2026 15:19 UTC