Trump Executive Order Halts CDC Communication with WHO, Disrupting Global Health Efforts

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The executive order issued by President Trump on January 20, 2025, has significant implications for the communication between CDC staff and the World Health Organization (WHO). This order directs the CDC to cease all forms of collaboration with WHO, effective immediately. This includes stopping participation in technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, and cooperative agreements, whether conducted in person or virtually. Additionally, CDC staff are prohibited from visiting WHO offices.

This directive is part of a broader strategy to withdraw the United States from WHO, a process that requires Congressional approval and the fulfillment of financial obligations for the current fiscal year, along with a one-year notice period. The immediate stoppage of communication and collaboration is expected to disrupt ongoing efforts to address health crises such as the Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as to monitor bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock.

Experts have expressed concern that this sudden halt in communication will undermine global health responses and impede the sharing of critical information about new tests, treatments, and emerging outbreaks. This information is vital for protecting both Americans abroad and at home. The withdrawal from WHO is justified by the Trump administration based on perceived mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic by WHO.

In addition to halting communication with WHO, the Trump administration has also paused most external communications from other federal health agencies, including the CDC, the FDA, and the HHS, until at least the end of the month. This pause affects health advisories, website updates, and other public communications.

Overall, the executive order and the subsequent directives to CDC staff to cut communications with WHO are expected to have far-reaching consequences for global health coordination and the ability to respond to international health threats effectively.