Trump Dumps WHO and Places All US Citizens At-Risk.

Posted on | July 7, 2020 | 7 Comments

Medical organizations this week reacted with alarm as President Trump unilaterally and publically announced on July 7, 2020, his intent to withdraw from the WHO. Putting aside that it is questionable that he possesses the power to follow through with this latest threat to the nation’s health, the move was enough to draw a unified response from major medical associations, a statement I share below.

But first a list of obvious reasons why Trump’s view is unenlightened and dangerous:

1. The United States is a critical player in the WHO.
2. Data sharing between the WHO and the US Public Health system is extensive.
3. Global disease surveillance, in the age of global warming and mass human migrations, is now more critical than ever.
4. The U.S. is home to 83 different WHO collaborating centers including universities and governmental sites.
5. Our nation’s biosecurity is intimately integrated with the WHO.
6. Disrupting our relationship as Fall approaches at the intersection of Covid-19 and seasonal flu is beyond dangerous.
7. The WHO tracks flu rates for 112 nations including our’s.
8. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative and international HIV/AIDS efforts initiated by President Bush are housed at the WHO.

All voters, especially health professionals, should be advised that Trump policies spell disaster for all citizens of the world, including ours. Here’s the statement from organized medicine:

The following statement is attributable to: AAP President Sally Goza, MD, FAAP, AAFP President Gary L. LeRoy, M.D., AMA President Susan R. Bailey, M.D., and ACP President, Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, FACP

“The Trump administration’s official withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) puts the health of our country at grave risk. As leading medical organizations, representing hundreds of thousands of physicians, we join in strong opposition to this decision, which is a major setback to science, public health, and global coordination efforts needed to defeat COVID-19.

“The WHO plays a leading role in protecting, supporting, and promoting public health in the United States and around the world. The agency has been on the frontlines of every global child health challenge over the last seven decades, successfully eradicating smallpox, vaccinating billions against measles, and cutting preventable child deaths by more than half since 1990. Withdrawing from the WHO puts these investments at risk and leaves the United States without a seat at the table – at a time when our leadership is most desperately needed.

“As our nation and the rest of the world face a global health pandemic, a worldwide, coordinated response is more vital than ever. This dangerous withdrawal not only impacts the global response against COVID-19, but also undermines efforts to address other major public health threats. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians and American Medical Association strongly oppose this short-sighted decision. We call on Congress to reject the Administration’s withdrawal from the WHO and make every effort to preserve the United States’ relationship with this valued global institution. Now is the time to invest in global health, rather than turn back.”  

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