Key Takeaways
- The United States has formally left the World Health Organization (WHO) as of January 22, 2026
- California is charting a separate path by plugging directly into global disease-tracking networks to safeguard its 39 million residents
- The US departure from the WHO could delay news and information about health threats, but California may still benefit from the organization
- The WHO is facing a financial crisis due to the US departure, with a significant reduction in funding and staff
- Global health experts warn that the US withdrawal from the WHO could weaken systems and collaborations relied on to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats
Introduction to the US Withdrawal from the WHO
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) as of January 22, 2026. This move has sparked concerns among public health experts, who warn that it could slow the nation’s access to early outbreak data. However, California is taking a different approach, with Governor Gavin Newsom positioning the state to plug directly into global disease-tracking networks to safeguard its 39 million residents. This move is a testament to California’s commitment to protecting its citizens from public health threats, despite the federal government’s decision to leave the WHO.
California’s Response to the US Withdrawal
Governor Newsom has announced that California will be the first state to join the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network. This move will enable the state to continue receiving critical information about health threats, even if the US is no longer a member of the WHO. This is not the first time Newsom has taken steps to sidestep the Trump administration’s health changes. In September, he announced the launch of the West Coast Health Alliance, in response to what he saw as the Trump administration’s "destruction of the US CDC’s credibility and scientific integrity." The alliance aims to promote science-based legislation and protect the health of Californians, as well as residents of Washington and Oregon.
The Impact of the US Departure on the WHO
The US departure from the WHO has sparked a financial crisis, with the organization facing significant funding cuts and staff reductions. The WHO will shed around a quarter of its staff by the middle of this year, and its management team will be cut in half. The agency has been working with the US and sharing information over the past year, but it is unclear how this collaboration will continue in the future. Global health experts warn that the US withdrawal from the WHO could weaken the systems and collaborations relied on to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged a rethink of the US departure, and many experts have called for the US to reconsider its decision.
The Trump Administration’s Decision to Leave the WHO
The Trump administration issued an executive order to leave the WHO, citing the organization’s cost to the US. The administration claims that the WHO has cost the US trillions of dollars, and that the country has paid more than enough in fees. However, experts argue that the US departure from the WHO is a violation of US law, which requires a one-year notice period and the payment of outstanding fees. The US has not yet paid its fees for 2024 and 2025, and the WHO will discuss the US departure and its handling at its executive board meeting in February.
The Future of the US and the WHO
It is unclear whether the US will reconsider its decision to leave the WHO. Many global health experts, including Bill Gates, have urged the US to rejoin the organization, citing its critical role in promoting global health and preventing the spread of diseases. However, the Trump administration has shown no indication of reversing its decision, and it is likely that the US will continue to work directly with other countries on disease surveillance and public health priorities, rather than through the WHO. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US departure from the WHO will impact global health, and whether California’s decision to plug into global disease-tracking networks will be enough to safeguard its residents from public health threats.
