Download the PDF version of this statement here.

The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) expresses its concern regarding President Trump's executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). We stand in solidarity with our public health colleagues in the United States who recognize the critical importance of global health cooperation and the indispensable role of the U.S. in supporting the WHO in tackling worldwide health challenges.

As an organisation dedicated to strengthening public health education and practice, ASPHER understands the vital importance of international collaboration in tackling public health emergencies. Pandemics such as Covid-19 and the avian influenza, as well as other current challenges ranging from climate change to health inequalities, have unequivocally demonstrated that health and diseases do not respect borders, and a coordinated global response is required for effective and sustained public health actions.

The WHO plays a crucial role in disease surveillance, outbreak response, and the sharing of critical health information across nations. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO poses significant risks to global health security and preparedness as well to all Americans.

We are particularly disquieted about the impacts on public health emergencies that require close international cooperation. The WHO's work extends far beyond pandemic response, encompassing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, non- communicable diseases, and health inequities worldwide. The U.S. withdrawal will slow progress on critical global health initiatives.

Furthermore, this decision has far-reaching consequences for public health education and research in the U.S. and globally. Key U.S. institutions are global public health leaders, many serve as WHO Collaborating Centers, fostering valuable exchanges of knowledge and expertise. The severance of these ties impedes the advancement of public health science and the training of future health professionals.

ASPHER calls on the U.S. administration to reconsider the decision to withdraw from the WHO. We will support our colleagues in the United States to continue advocating for engagement with the WHO and maintain their invaluable contributions to international public health and society wellness efforts.

In these challenging times, unity and collaboration in the public health community are more crucial than ever. ASPHER remains committed to supporting our U.S. colleagues and partnering with public health institutions worldwide to address shared health challenges. We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that global health security and preparedness remain a priority for all nations.

As we face an uncertain future in global health governance, ASPHER reiterates its dedication to strengthening public health education, research, and practice across borders. We believe that only through collective action and shared responsibility can we effectively protect the health of populations worldwide and build resilient health systems capable of responding to future crises.

References:

https://www.aspher.org/who-aspher-roadmap-to-professionalization.html

https://www.aspher.org/global-collaboration.html

https://reproductiverights.org/trump-world-health-organization-who-withdrawal/

https://www.aspher.org/global-network-for-academic-public-health.html

https://www.aspher.org/news,114.html

https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2023.1606889/full

https://www.who.int/news/item/21-01-2025-who-comments-on-united-states--announcement-of-intent-to-withdraw

https://www.amsa.org/response-to-us-withdrawal-from-who/

https://aspph.org/the-importance-of-global-engagement-in-the-public-health-sector/