Think Global Health A former special advisor to the WHO director general outlines arenas that could strengthen global health regardless of a U.S. withdrawal. On Thursday, the required one-year notice period will pass since the United States declared its intention to leave the World Health Organization (WHO), although other member states continue to discuss the U.S. exit given that the country has yet to pay its outstanding assessed dues.
When President Donald Trump announced the departure on the first day of his second tenure, I hoped that a quick deal could be reached. I was wrong. Last May I wrote in the New York Times, “The golden age of global health as led by the United States is over. The rest of the world must now focus on building a healthier world that is less dependent on U.S. aid—and less susceptible to U.S. influence and disruption. Greater self-reliance is the path to truly sustainable development.”