President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the World Health Organization means the U.N. agency is losing its biggest funder.

In this April 15, 2020 file photo, the logo and building of the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

WHO’s constitution, drafted in New York, doesn’t have a clear exit method for member states. A joint resolution by Congress in 1948 outlined that the U.S. can withdraw with one year's notice. This is contingent, however, on ensuring that its financial obligations to WHO “shall be met in full for the organization’s current fiscal year.”

If the U.S. withdraws funding and support from WHO, critical programs that support the survival of women and children will be at risk.

As the WHO’s largest donor, the US departure raises critical concerns about funding, global health initiatives, and pandemic preparedness. Experts warn that this move could weaken international health collaboration,

The United States will leave the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump said on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.

A number of leaders are skipping this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

One of the world's biggest global health funders will ask the private sector for a steep increase in donations as concern of a shortfall in government contributions grows following a US decision to exit the World Health Organization.

President Donald Trump's order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health ... in Geneva, Switzerland, it is the largest international intergovernmental health organization, and its website says ...

More than half of Americans believe the U.S. benefits from its membership in the WHO. As of April 2024, 25% of U.S. adults say the country benefits a great deal from its membership, while about one third say it benefits a fair amount. Conversely, 38% say the U.S. does not benefit much or at all from WHO membership.

Experts say the sudden stoppage is a surprise and will set back work on investigating and trying to stop outbreaks of Marburg virus and mpox in Africa.

US President Donald Trump says he may consider rejoining the World Health Organization if the country's share of contributions were lowered.