Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
Professor of Parasitology, Director of the University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands of the University of La Laguna and CIBERINFEC researcher
The departure of the US from the WHO will not only wreak havoc on the health of the US population, but of the world's population. The US is one of the main funders of the WHO (public and private funds). Not only would this be a serious strategic mistake, as they would lose the influence they have over the WHO, but it would also jeopardise the health of the population. Stopping vaccination campaigns, for example, or avoiding the control and surveillance of disease-transmitting vectors [would be some of these problems].
It is sad that, once again, health professionals are being sidelined and these decisions are being made by people who are not experts in the field. The US will enter a dark zone where, despite whoever it may be, they will realise that they can do many things on their own, but pathogen control and control is a global health issue and this country will be totally unprotected if they leave the WHO. Sad news and a very bad decision.