US Formally Withdraws from WHO Over COVID-19 Response

What happened and why

On Jan. 22, the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department announced the formal end of U.S. membership in the World Health Organization, completing the yearlong process begun by Executive Order 14155 on Jan. 20, 2025. Officials cited concerns about the WHO’s handling of COVID‑19, unmet reform calls and alleged undue influence by certain member states. The HHS release and the CDC statement describe plans to continue global health engagement through direct relationships outside WHO governance.

Timeline of key steps

• Jan. 20, 2025: President Trump signs an executive order giving one year’s notice to withdraw from WHO. Reporting: ABC News.
• Throughout 2025: Federal officials halted some WHO funding streams, withdrew personnel from certain WHO functions and limited participation in WHO committees. Coverage: ABC7, CDC.
• Jan. 22, 2026: The United States ceases official WHO involvement as announced by HHS and the State Department.

Financial and legal fights

WHO says the U.S. still owed significant assessed dues for 2024–25 that must be paid under WHO rules before a member can fully resign; reports place the figure in the tens or hundreds of millions. U.S. officials have disputed that the debts bar withdrawal and have at times denied owing the amounts WHO cited. Reporting: ABC7, ABC News.

There is also a legal debate over whether an executive order alone can end membership in an international organization the U.S. joined with Congressional approval. Some legal experts say Congress must act, creating potential court fights or political standoffs. Coverage: ABC7.

Reactions from experts and the world

Public‑health leaders pushed back sharply. Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown University called the move “ruinous,” warning it could reduce U.S. access to early outbreak warnings, flu strain data and vaccine coordination. The Infectious Diseases Society of America labeled the withdrawal “shortsighted” and “reckless.” Reporting: ABC7, ABC News.

“Leaving WHO could slow U.S. access to early outbreak data and complicate global response coordination,” public‑health experts say.

WHO issued a statement saying it regretted the decision and warned it could make the U.S. and the world less safe; the agency plans to address the matter at upcoming governance meetings including the Executive Board and World Health Assembly. See the WHO statement.

What the U.S. says it will do now

Federal agencies say the U.S. will continue global health engagement via bilateral partnerships, regional networks and direct funding for specific priorities — all outside WHO’s umbrella. Officials frame this as protecting U.S. health security while avoiding what they describe as a politicized multilateral body. See CDC and HHS.

California’s role — what is known and what isn’t

Reporting and public records do not confirm a statewide plan in Sacramento to bypass the federal shift by joining global disease‑tracking networks independently. State and local public‑health agencies routinely partner with federal and international partners, but those arrangements are typically coordinated through federal channels or formal state agreements. At the time of publication there was no official statewide announcement or publicly posted plan from Gov. Gavin Newsom or other California leaders formalizing an independent surveillance program.

Implications for Huntington Beach, California

Economic impact

• Ports and trade: Huntington Beach lies near major Southern California ports and depends on cross‑border supply chains. Any slowdown in shared outbreak information could complicate port health screenings and trade logistics, adding uncertainty for local businesses and tourism. Sources: CDC, ABC7.
• Tourism and hospitality: Visitor‑dependent businesses could face faster or more frequent plan changes by travelers and event planners if national disease monitoring weakens.

Political consequences

• Local leaders may press state or federal officials for clarity and resources; Huntington Beach officials may push for county‑level preparedness funds or state assistance.
• The withdrawal is likely to be debated locally as a test of federal leadership on health security versus state and local autonomy. See HHS statement.

Social effects

• Hospitals and clinics: Orange County systems could face delayed awareness of new variants or threats, affecting stockpiles, testing supplies and vaccination planning.
• Schools and day care: Local guidance often follows federal signals; school districts may need clearer local instructions on closures, masking and testing if federal channels change.

Cultural relevance

For communities valuing local control, the U.S. move may align with preferences for direct bilateral action over multilateral institutions. Conversely, residents who trust expert public‑health systems may worry about losing a global safety net. Reporting: ABC News.

Practical actions for residents

• Expect stronger local surveillance: County and city public‑health agencies may increase monitoring of respiratory illness and report more directly to state officials.
• Prepare for targeted partnerships: Huntington Beach leaders could seek direct data‑sharing agreements or resources for local labs and hospitals.
• Stay informed from reliable sources: Follow updates from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the California Department of Public Health and federal agencies such as the CDC.

Sources and further reading

• ABC7: US completes withdrawal from World Health Organization
• ABC News: US officially exits World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: US withdrawal from WHO
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: United States completes WHO withdrawal
• U.S. Department of State: Termination of U.S. membership in the WHO
• World Health Organization: Statement on U.S. notification of withdrawal