The United States’ decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) could have significant consequences for global health, especially for developing countries.
The announcement, made by President Donald Trump, represents a blow to the organization’s budget and international medical research.
In an interview with CNN 360º This Tuesday (21), Professor Vitelio Brustolin, a specialist in International Relations at the Universidade Federal Fluminense and a researcher at Harvard, stated that the US withdrawal will result in a loss of 20% of the WHO’s budget.
“Trump said it would save US$550 million a year. In fact, between 2022 and 2023 the sum is US$1.1 billion”, explained Brustolin.
Impact on medical research and health programs
The US withdrawal will not only affect the WHO budget, but also global medical research. The US is home to 72 of the organization’s research centers, the largest number in the world.
“As humanity, we would lose the cutting edge of medical research, which is one of the greatest achievements we have had and which is led today by the United States”, warned the professor.
Additionally, disease-fighting programs in developing countries may be disrupted. Diseases such as malaria and AIDS, which most severely affect populations with fewer resources, could lose important sources of funding for research and treatment.
Exit process and possible reversal
It is important to note that the United States’ withdrawal from the WHO is not immediate. The process takes a year to complete, meaning that if the decision is upheld, the US would officially leave the organization in January 2026.
However, there are precedents for reversing this decision. In 2020, Trump had already tried to withdraw the US from the WHO, but the measure was reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
The possibility of a new administration changing the course of this decision still exists, leaving the future of United States participation in the World Health Organization open.
This content was originally published in US exit from WHO impacts developing countries, professor tells CNN on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
