President Donald Trump, in his second term, has made a series of decisions that have significantly undermined the global healthcare landscape. In addition to withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), his decision to exit the Paris Climate Accord has paved the way for long-term public health challenges, especially with the increasingly undeniable links between climate change and health. Even more concerning is his appointment of individuals with anti-scientific views to key healthcare positions. These harmful decisions not only hinder progress within the United States but also pose a serious threat to global health and well-being.
Read more: Trump bids WHO goodbye: what comes next?
The US is the largest single-country contributor to the WHO, providing approximately 18% of its funding. It also plays a crucial role in supporting specific health programs, such as those targeting tuberculosis and AIDS. Consequently, President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO represents a significant setback.
While increased contributions from China and other nations could potentially address the funding gap, the real issue lies elsewhere. The most critical consequence of this decision is the weakening of the WHO as a truly global organization, one that relies on the participation and collaboration of all countries to address shared health challenges effectively.
WHO and CDC
The WHO was established on April 7, 1948, following the model of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, which was founded just two years earlier in 1946. Both organizations share common goals, including monitoring global disease outbreaks and issuing necessary protocols for their control. The WHO, with its international reach, works closely with national health agencies like the CDC to coordinate health responses.
If the WHO is weakened, it would have a direct impact on the CDC’s effectiveness as well. The two agencies are interconnected, with the WHO providing a global framework for health protocols, while the CDC plays a pivotal role in the US response. A weakening of the WHO could undermine global coordination and support for health systems, thus affecting the CDC’s ability to address international and US health challenges effectively.
The forgotten lessons of COVID-19
The US suffered the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths during the pandemic. Ironically, several technologies and diagnostic tools developed in the US were also instrumental in controlling the disease worldwide. When the outbreak began, Donald Trump was president, and his actions—ranging from dismissing the virus by calling it the “Wuhan virus” to downplaying its seriousness by appearing in public without a mask—played a significant role in turning the US into the epicenter of the crisis. However, with Joe Biden’s administration, the situation saw significant improvement, particularly with the accelerated distribution of vaccines.
Watch: Minorities and the poor are the worst affected by COVID-19 in the US
Yet, recent executive orders issued by Trump suggest that he has learned little, if anything, from the COVID-19 experience, continuing to undermine efforts that could have bolstered global health. The COVID-19 pandemic taught the world vital lessons: the power of international solidarity grounded in robust scientific understanding. WHO operates on these very principles, uniting countries in the shared pursuit of health and wellness.
Emerging infectious diseases such as SARS, Ebola, Nipah, and COVID-19 have demonstrated how quickly they can spread worldwide, often in a matter of days. When a pandemic-capable disease emerges in any corner of the world, it can reach every part of the globe within 72 hours. This stark reality makes it clear that no country, regardless of its resources, can manage these diseases alone. The only path forward is through collective action—sharing scientific data, technologies, medicines, and vaccines on an international scale.
With this understanding, many countries have worked together to develop vaccines, drugs, and treatment protocols, collaborating in a united front against health threats. However, by withdrawing from the WHO, the US has effectively dismantled this framework of international cooperation, jeopardized the global health response, and left the world less prepared for the challenges ahead.
The COVID-19 pandemic came as a reminder for two fundamental principles: Universal Health Care and the concept of One Health, One World.
Read more: Healthcare financing in the post-COVID world
Universal Health Care aims to guarantee that healthcare services are accessible, available, and affordable for everyone, regardless of their financial means. A strong public health system is crucial for managing and preventing diseases effectively, a truth that was highlighted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which initially faltered due to a lack of funding and later rejuvenated by increased funding, played a pivotal role in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. Similarly, during Barack Obama’s presidency, the Affordable Care Act extended health insurance coverage to 30 million Americans who had previously been uninsured, offering critical support to vulnerable populations, including the elderly. Although Trump attempted to roll back this system during his first term, widespread public support ensured its preservation.
In contrast to the privatized insurance system in the US, many European nations were able to manage the pandemic more effectively due to their state-mandated social insurance systems, which provide broader and more equitable access to healthcare. Universal Health Care can also be found in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically the third goal: to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” emphasizing the global imperative to prioritize public health.
One Health, One World: a unified approach to global health
The concept of One Health, One World gained widespread international attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. It asserts that human health is inextricably linked to the health of the environment and other species. While this idea has been around for some time, the pandemic underscored its importance and accelerated its global recognition.
In recent years, significant challenges in the healthcare sector have become more visible, including the rise of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the impacts of climate change. These factors have highlighted the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, prompting the adoption of One Health, One World.
Climate change has a profound and far-reaching impact on human health. Deforestation, for instance, disrupts the habitats of animals such as bats, increasing the likelihood of pathogens jumping from animals to humans. As climate change continues to disrupt ecosystems, its health implications remain a critical area of ongoing research, emphasizing the need for integrated solutions to safeguard global health.
President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the climate accord has created a significant roadblock to the realization of this concept. By distancing itself from global climate action, the US is not only failing to address the health impacts of climate change but is also undermining the international cooperation necessary to safeguard the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment. This retreat from global collaboration stands in stark contrast to the urgent need for collective action in addressing the global health challenges of today.
People’s Health Dispatch is a fortnightly bulletin published by the People’s Health Movement and Peoples Dispatch. For more articles and to subscribe to People’s Health Dispatch, click here.
Dr. B. Ekbal is a health activist, former Professor of Neurosurgery and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Kerala.
