The AAP and five other leading medical organizations are calling on Congress to reject the Trump administration’s planned withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), saying membership is needed to “collaborate and coordinate” on global public health issues.
The AAP released the statement Thursday along with the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Psychiatric Association.
“As leading medical organizations representing more than 600,000 physicians in the United States, we share the goal of safe, healthy and disease-free patients and communities,” the statement reads. “Remaining part of the WHO is one way we can ensure our nation’s success in achieving this goal for all the patients we care for.”
Shortly after assuming office, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order calling on the U.S. government to pause the future transfer of “funds, support and resources” to the WHO.
“For more than 70 years, the WHO has played a leading role in protecting, supporting and promoting public health in the United States and around the world,” according to the statement. “Withdrawing from the WHO will hamper our country’s ability to predict and respond to major public health emergencies and limit access, communication and information sharing to a global network of health professionals.
“We urge Congress to reject the administration’s proposal to withdraw from the WHO and ensure the United States can continue to have a seat at the table where critical public health decisions are being made.”
The U.S. joined the WHO in 1948 as one of its founding member states. Currently, the organization has nearly 200 member states.