Trump withdraws US from the World Health Organization
US President Donald Trump has begun the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO) in one of his first acts in office.
Dr Margaret Heffernan OAM, RMIT University Australia
“The irrational withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organization (WHO) makes the US vulnerable to decreased human capital and quality of life on all health indicators. It could result in a lack of guidance on informed health emergencies, depleted health literacy and an increase in non-communicable and communicable diseases. It may also lead to an ill-informed and biased health agenda for those who are also ignorant of public health discourses.
“With US citizens travelling internationally, this potentially increases the disease risk for Australia and other countries globally.
“The US has been a powerful advocate of WHO. Now more than ever, WHO needs all informed and influential voices at the table. WHO also needs the funding for medical and scientific research.
“The US withdrawal sets a precedent for other regimes dissatisfied with global cooperation.
“Sustained global cooperation and expertise is required to mitigate future disease outbreaks and pandemics. Constructive, collaborative dialogue is the hallmark of great leadership. This irrational and impulsive decision puts us all globally at risk.”
Dr Margaret Heffernan OAM is a behavioural researcher with a focus on public health policy, immigrant and refugee health and community integration, socio-ecological frameworks, and socio-cultural and communication factors. Her work over the past decade relating to the implementation of adolescent HPV vaccination has resulted in numerous awards for cross-cultural collaborations and resource developments across Australia and internationally, including the Order of Australia Medal in 2006.
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