Bill Gates

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America quits the WHO after 77 years

Major global health philanthropist; critical of aid cuts

The U.S. joined the WHO on June 14, 1948, three years after helping design the agency, and became the first to withdraw on January 22, 2026, ending 77 years of involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited the WHO's 'failures during the COVID-19 pandemic' and its inability to demonstrate independence from 'inappropriate political influence.' The U.S. left without paying between $130 million and $278 million in disputed dues.

Updated May 22

Polio eradication at a funding crossroads

Money Moves

Largest single philanthropic funder of polio eradication

Global donors pledged US$1.9 billion to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at an Abu Dhabi pledging event on 8 December 2025, temporarily stabilizing a campaign facing a 30% budget cut in 2026 and a multi-year gap. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged US$1.2 billion and Rotary International pledged US$450 million, narrowing the 2022–2029 funding shortfall to roughly US$440 million but leaving a gap. Wild poliovirus transmission has resurged in Afghanistan and Pakistan as vaccine-derived polio sparks outbreaks in under-immunized communities worldwide.

Updated May 10

America first global health compacts: rewiring U.S. health aid

Rule Changes

Prominent critic warning of mortality surge from aid cuts

In 2025 the Trump administration dismantled the post-Cold War global health architecture by withdrawing from the WHO, freezing most foreign aid, and abolishing USAID's development role. Through its 'America First Global Health Strategy,' the administration created bilateral health compacts requiring partner governments to co-finance HIV, TB, malaria, and outbreak response programs and gradually assume full responsibility.

Updated May 10

Notable Quotes

The cuts were made abruptly and cruelly. I know cuts won't be reversed overnight, but it is critical that we restore some of the funding. — Davos, January 2026

from America quits the WHO after 77 years · Updated May 22

I don't think the U.S. will be coming back to WHO in the near future. The world needs the World Health Organization. — Reuters interview at Davos, January 2026

from America quits the WHO after 77 years · Updated May 22

The cuts were made abruptly and cruelly. I know cuts won't be reversed overnight, but it is critical that we restore some of the funding. — Davos, January 2026

from America quits the WHO after 77 years · Updated May 22

“If we let funding for basic health slip now, we’ll pay for it with millions of preventable child deaths in the decades ahead.”

from Polio eradication at a funding crossroads · Updated May 10

On polio eradication: “We are closer than ever to ending this disease, but the last mile is the most expensive and the most politically fragile.”

from Polio eradication at a funding crossroads · Updated May 10

Gates warned that aid cuts risk 'the first rise in child mortality this century' if global health investments are not restored.([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/e3f00645-63ee-469e-aa0a-8e82c442519a?utm_source=openai))

from America first global health compacts: rewiring U.S. health aid · Updated May 10