CDC: U.S. completes withdrawal from the World Health Organization

The United States has completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, according to a CDC statement dated January 22, 2026. The announcement, issued jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department, describes the conclusion of a yearlong process that began after President Trump announced a plan to leave the WHO on January 20, 2025.

In the statement, federal officials argued that the WHO mishandled the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, failed to implement reforms they consider essential, and did not sufficiently demonstrate independence from political influence by member states. The release says the U.S. has already halted funding, removed personnel from WHO activities, and shifted work that previously ran through WHO toward other channels.

The CDC statement indicates that, following the exit, U.S. coordination with WHO will be limited and focused on steps needed to effectuate the withdrawal. It also emphasizes that the U.S. intends to continue global health work through direct bilateral engagement with other countries, and through partnerships with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and other institutions.

Public health experts have long debated what reduced formal engagement with the WHO means for outbreak surveillance, information sharing, and coordinated emergency response. While bilateral and regional partnerships can be effective, global institutions are often used to convene shared standards, coordinate alerts, and mobilize expertise across borders during fast-moving outbreaks.

The CDC statement frames the decision as an “America first” approach to protecting public health, prioritizing emergency response and biosecurity coordination through U.S.-led or directly negotiated efforts. Supporters argue this structure provides more control and clearer accountability; critics argue it risks weakening global alignment at moments when rapid cross-border cooperation is most needed.

With the withdrawal now complete, the practical impact will depend on how quickly the U.S. builds replacement coordination mechanisms and how partners respond. Health departments, researchers, and international counterparts will watch for details on future data sharing, travel and disease advisories, and how global outbreak response will be handled without U.S. participation inside the WHO framework.