DateIssued:January20,2025
Topic:Health
WHATDOESTHISEXECUTIVEORDERDO?
ThisorderdirectstheUnitedStatestowithdrawfromtheWorldHealth Organization(WHO)duetoconcernsoveritshandlingofglobalhealth crises,lackofreform,anddisproportionatefinancialdemandsontheU.S.
TheorderrevokesformerPresidentBiden’s2021PresidentialLetterthat retractedthe2020withdrawal,whichpreviouslyreestablishedU.S. engagementwiththeWHO.
TheorderhaltsallfuturetransfersofU.S.governmentfunds,support,or resourcestotheWHOandrecallsallU.S.personnelorcontractors workingwiththeorganization.Additionally,itmandatesareviewand replacementofthe2024U.S.GlobalHealthSecurityStrategyandrequires theidentificationofcredibleinternationalpartnerstoassume responsibilitiespreviouslyhandledbytheWHO.
HOWWILLTHISEXECUTIVEORDERBEENFORCED?
TheSecretaryofStateisrequiredtoimmediatelyinformtheUnited NationsSecretary-GeneralandWHOleadershipoftheU.S.withdrawal.The DirectoroftheOfficeofManagementandBudgetmusttakestepsto ensuretheimmediatesuspensionofallU.S.governmentfundingtothe WHO.TheorderalsomandatestherecallandreassignmentofU.S. personnelandcontractorsworkingwiththeWHOinanycapacity.
TheNationalSecurityCouncilwillestablishnewmechanismstosafeguard publichealthandbiosecurity,whilefederalagencieswillidentifyand collaboratewithalternativepartnersforglobalhealthinitiatives. Additionally,theDirectoroftheWhiteHouseOfficeofPandemic PreparednessandResponsePolicymustreviewandreplacethe2024U.S. GlobalHealthSecurityStrategyassoonaspossible.
Duringthewithdrawalprocess,theSecretaryofStatewillceaseall negotiationsrelatedtotheWHOPandemicAgreementandamendments toInternationalHealthRegulations,ensuringtheyhavenobindingeffect ontheUnitedStates.
HOWDOESTHISIMPACTBLACKCOMMUNITIES?
ThewithdrawalfromWHOwillhavesignificantimplicationsforBlack communities,particularlyregardingaccesstoglobalhealthresources, pandemicpreparedness,andpublichealthinitiatives.Thedecisiontocutties withtheWHOcouldleadtoashiftininternationalhealthpartnerships, potentiallyimpactingtheavailabilityofglobalresearch,vaccines,anddisease responseeffortsthatdisproportionatelyaffectBlackandothermarginalized communities.
TheU.S.withdrawalfromtheWHOwillalsohaveprofoundconsequencesfor Blackcommunities.TheWHOplaysacriticalroleinshapingguidelinesfor maternalandinfanthealth,includinginterventionsforpretermbirths,which disproportionatelyimpactBlackfamiliesintheU.S.andglobally.Withoutthe WHO’scoordination,data-sharing,andexpertise,Blackcommunitieswillface heightenedrisksofpoorhealthoutcomesduetogapsinresearch,reduced availabilityoflife-savinginterventions,andweakenedpublichealth infrastructure.
TheWHOalsoleadseffortstocombatinfectiousdiseasesthat disproportionatelyaffectmarginalizedpopulations.Bywithdrawing,theU.S. risksdelayedresponsestoemerginghealththreatsandreducedaccessto criticaldata,includinginfluenzaandCOVID-19straintracking,whichinforms vaccinedevelopment.SinceBlackcommunitieshavehistoricallyexperienced higherratesofchronicconditionsandinfectiousdiseases,suchdisruptions couldexacerbateexistinghealthinequities,leadingtohigherhospitalization andmortalityrates.
Additionally,theWHOsupportsinitiativestomitigateenvironmentalhealth risks suchaspollutionexposureandinadequatesanitation that disproportionatelyburdenBlackneighborhoods,furtherunderscoringthe potentialharmofwithdrawal.WhiletheU.S.mayattempttoredirectfundsto alternativehealthinitiatives,theeffectivenessofsucheffortswilldependon whethertheycanmatchtheWHO’sglobalreachandexpertise.Ifdomestic policiesfailtofillthegapsleftbytheWHO’sabsence,Blackcommunitiesmay experienceworseninghealthdisparitiesduetoreducedfundingforprevention, treatment,andresearch.
Ultimately,thelong-termimpactwillhingeonwhethertheU.S.candevelopa robusthealthstrategythatprioritizesequity,maintainsaccesstoglobal diseasesurveillance,andensurescontinuedinvestmentinthewell-beingof historicallymarginalizedpopulations.
HOWARECBCMEMBERSRESPONDING?
TwelveCongressionalBlackCaucus(CBC)members,includingRep.TerriA. Sewell,ChairoftheCBCFBoardofDirectors,signedontoaletterthaturged PresidentTrumptoreversethisexecutiveorder.Theletterstates:“Our participationinWHOtranslatesintoincalculablegoodwillincountriesaround theworld.TheUnitedStateshaslongbeenaleaderinglobalhealth partnerships,andweshouldnotcedethattitle.”FullStatement
