By Jennifer Rigby and Emma Farge
LONDON/GENEVA (Reuters) – The World Health Organization is currently compiling a list of reasons urging the United States to maintain its membership in the organization for its own benefit, according to sources familiar with the matter. This effort is part of a campaign by advocates of the WHO to influence incoming President Donald Trump regarding the country’s continued participation.
During his previous term, Trump initiated the process to withdraw the U.S. from the UN health agency, and similar actions are anticipated in his new administration, with potential steps as early as his inauguration on Monday. As the largest donor to the WHO, experts warn that the U.S. departure would have significant repercussions on the agency in Geneva and global health overall. It could also leave the U.S. isolated during public health crises and compromise disease surveillance, impacting national security and the pharmaceutical sector, the list reportedly indicates.
While the WHO has not publicly advocated for a reversal of the U.S. decision, it emphasizes the need for dialogue and emphasizes the importance of continuing the partnership for global health. The compilation of reasons was requested by influential American global health proponents, who intend to highlight the risks of a U.S. withdrawal.
Lawrence Gostin, a global health professor at Georgetown University and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law, expressed concerns about the potential repercussions, stating, “It would be a deep wound to the WHO, to health globally, but an even more grievous wound to the U.S. national interest.” Efforts are being made to sway Trump’s stance during the one-year notice period required by domestic law before a formal U.S. exit from the agency.
Various stakeholders, including scientists, businesses, former officials, and civil society groups, are engaged in this advocacy effort. Discussions are ongoing regarding how best to communicate the findings to the Trump administration, with the possibility of direct engagement or a public appeal. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also voiced support for the WHO in recent weeks.
Health sources reveal that the WHO has been actively strategizing and is prepared to present its case. The list underscores the vital role the U.S. plays within the WHO, particularly in terms of disease surveillance and access to crucial health information. Concerns about the potential implications of a U.S. withdrawal on global health security, pandemic preparedness, and pharmaceutical interests are central to the arguments being put forth.
In the event of a formal decision to exit the WHO, experts suggest potential legal challenges to ensure proper consultation with Congress, which sanctioned the U.S. membership in 1948.
(Reporting by Jennifer Rigby in London and Emma Farge in Geneva; editing by David Evans)
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