NCDA Statement on United States announcement of intent to withdraw from the WHO

10 February 2025 (Geneva, Switzerland) - The United States administration’s recent announcement to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) threatens global health and security and puts millions of lives at risk, including people living with non-communicable diseases. 

“The NCD Alliance is extremely concerned by this major disruption to global health and multilateralism”, said Katie Dain, CEO of the NCD Alliance. “WHO has unmatched global reach and legitimacy in global health. The agency implements vital health programmes in collaboration with its partners, a core part of its work is devising guidelines and making recommendations to all its members, it promotes the fundamental right to health for everyone, everywhere and its work underpins global health security.”

For over seven decades, the US has made important financial, political and technical contributions to WHO, and has benefited in real ways at home from the work of WHO. The U.S. withdrawal creates a budget shortfall of over $1.2 billion out of WHO’s annual budget of approximately $5 billion (~15%). Unless offset by other governments stepping up, this leaves a devastating gap and threatens to undermine progress made in health in recent decades.

“At a time when the health of millions hangs in the balance, we need a strong WHO that has the resources and capacity to work to respond to the many health threats, including NCDs” said Dain “We urge the U.S. administration to reconsider its decision and continue its membership with WHO. Global cooperation and solidarity is essential for improving health, wellbeing and security around the world.”