New Delhi, Jan. 25 -- The US has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), a year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process.

The move deprives the global health body of its largest donor and deepens a funding crisis that WHO officials warn is already disrupting essential health services worldwide. Public health experts say the decision could weaken both global health security and public health in the US.

Mint explains what has changed, why it happened, and what it means.

The US announced on 22 January 2026 that it has completed its withdrawal from the WHO, a year after President Trump signed an executive order on 20 January 2025 directing the government to initiate the exit, a step h...