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What does pulling out of the World Health Organization (WHO) mean for people with disabilities?


Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
depiction of the executive order withdrawing from the world health organization with an excerpt from the text underlining key statements pertaining to resons for the withdrawal such as mishandling of covid nineteen and country fiscal contributions

As cited in the Executive Order “WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION” (January 2025):
“Section 1. Purpose. The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises… China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO.”

Despite these criticisms, America’s previously higher contributions reflected our commitment to being a global leader, ensuring progress and protection for people worldwide, including our own citizens.

The fact is that spending more on the World Health Organization (WHO) than China has reflected America’s commitment to global leadership and responsibility, and strengthened our reputation internationally for decades. 

By investing in the WHO, the United States has demonstrated its dedication to global health equity, pandemic preparedness, and the advancement of medical science. Such contributions have helped us foster goodwill, form partnerships, and build trust with other nations, it allowed us the opportunity to showcase ourselves as a global leader in health and humanitarian efforts. 

This leadership was vital in addressing cross-border health challenges, such as pandemics, that require unified global action and we will surely face these again.

Being the leading contributor to WHO is what has “Made America Great” in the eyes of countries all over the world, and our now President’s first term is responsible for its own devastating mishandling of the Covid 19, so how again does leaving WHO make us greater?

Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) could negatively impact people with disabilities in several ways:

  1. Access to Global Best Practices: The WHO provides guidance on disability-inclusive health policies and care, including assistive technologies, rehabilitation, and accessible healthcare. Without this partnership, U.S. disability-related programs may lack access to the latest global research and resources.
  2. Pandemic Preparedness: WHO plays a vital role in managing global health emergencies. People with disabilities often face higher risks during pandemics due to pre-existing health conditions and accessibility barriers. Withdrawal could weaken U.S. preparedness and coordination.
  3. Healthcare Inequities: WHO advocates for equity in healthcare, including initiatives addressing the unique health needs of people with disabilities. A U.S. withdrawal may reduce the focus on inclusive policies and international collaboration.
  4. Assistive Technologies: WHO supports global initiatives to make assistive technologies more affordable and accessible. Loss of collaboration might slow innovation and access to these critical tools for Americans with disabilities.
  5. Global Advocacy for Inclusion: The WHO promotes inclusion and rights for people with disabilities on an international level. Without U.S. support, the global push for disability rights might lose momentum, indirectly affecting advocacy efforts domestically.

This move could isolate the U.S. from valuable international health expertise and potentially exacerbate existing disparities for people with disabilities globally.

A Call for Unity and Advocacy


The inaugural address and subsequent executive orders underscore the importance of unity and action within the disability community. As the administration reshapes federal priorities, it is critical to remain vigilant and advocate for policies that preserve and expand accessibility, inclusion, and equity, and it’s essential to monitor how these specific principles are implemented to ensure they don’t undermine disability rights or accessibility initiatives. The disability community must come together to demand progress, ensure accountability, and uphold the rights fought for by generations before us.

What do the new administration’s orders mean for people with disabilities?

How does ending DEI policies threaten disability rights in the United States?