Implications of U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization on health financing in Africa

The U.S. decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) under President Trump's second term has significant implications for global health financing, particularly in Africa. As the largest contributor to the WHO, the U.S. provided 12-15% of the organization's total funding between 2022 and 2023, and its withdrawal threatens essential health programs addressing HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, tuberculosis, and malaria, which heavily rely on external funding. Reduced funding will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income African countries, increasing the financial burden on households and limiting access to critical healthcare services.