The recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) has generated a wave of concerns in the international community, especially in the realm of global public health. For Mexico, the departure of the United States from the WHO poses particular challenges, as international cooperation in health is compromised, affecting joint efforts to respond to health emergencies that transcend borders.
The reduction of resources and a possible reorientation of priorities within the WHO could impact the joint programs and technical assistance that Mexico receives to strengthen its health system. For example, the recent outbreak of the screwworm in Mexican livestock demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in health. Any change in the regulatory approach of the United States will have consequences for nations like Mexico, directly affecting global health policy and binational cooperation in public health.
The United States has been a major financial contributor to the WHO, so the withdrawal of the country could severely impact nations that rely on international health cooperation. The reduction in funding and the possible reconfiguration of leadership in international health threaten to weaken the capacity to respond to future health crises. The U.S. decision to withdraw from the WHO, in addition to suspending its financial contributions, could have significant repercussions on the operational capacity of the organization at a global level.
The impact of this measure is especially concerning at a time when the scientific community fears a setback in the fight against infectious diseases. Collaboration with international organizations and neighboring countries is fundamental to implementing control and eradication measures for diseases. The departure of the United States from the WHO presents an unprecedented challenge for global public health, as it affects the organization's ability to carry out essential programs in the fight against diseases such as HIV, malaria, and measles.
Experts warn that the absence of the United States in the WHO could create a leadership vacuum in global health, limiting the response capacity to health emergencies and the implementation of vaccination campaigns in vulnerable regions. Despite the fact that the relationship between the United States and the WHO has been marked by tensions, international cooperation in health is crucial to facing shared challenges, such as infectious diseases and emerging health crises.
