Trump’s exit from the WHO could harm global health programmes and backfire on the US

In one of his first executive orders as president, Donald Trump has begun the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO). One year’s notice is required to retreat from the international public health body, at which time the US will stop contributing funds. The impact could be huge. In recent years the US has contributed nearly a fifth of the WHO’s $6.8 billion budget.