In the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), public opinion in the U.S. has shifted. Trump’s decision, citing dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the U.S. role as the largest financial contributor to the organization, has reignited debates over the value of WHO membership.
But how do Americans actually feel about the WHO? Recent surveys from the Pew Research Center, conducted before the announcement, reveal key insights into U.S. opinion on the organization.
BENEFITS OF WHO MEMBERSHIP: A DECLINING PERCEPTION
More than half of Americans earlier believed the U.S. benefited from its membership in the World Health Organisation. As of April 2024, 25% of U.S. adults felt the country benefited a great deal, while another third said the benefits were modest. In contrast, 38% of Americans thought the U.S. did not benefit much or at all from WHO membership.
Nonetheless, these views have changed since the coronavirus pandemic. The share of Americans who think the U.S. benefits from WHO membership has decreased significantly between 2021 and 2024. Notably, the percentage of Americans who say the U.S. benefits “a great deal” has dropped by 8 percentage points during this period.
This decline follows the actions of the Biden administration, which blocked Trump’s first attempt to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organisation. As the pandemic evolved, Americans began re-evaluating the organization’s role and its handling of the crisis.
PARTISAN DIVIDES ON WHO MEMBERSHIP
The differences in opinion are stark along partisan lines. Democrats are far more likely to view WHO membership favorably compared to Republicans. About 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents believe the U.S. benefits from being part of the World Health Organisation. In contrast, only 38% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents agree—a gap of 41 percentage points.
This gap has narrowed since 2021. Democrats were 50 points more likely than Republicans to see benefits in WHO membership. Still, the divide remains significant, and is even more pronounced between liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans. Liberal Democrats are 55 points more likely than conservative Republicans to view the WHO’s value positively.
SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS OF THE WHO’S PANDEMIC RESPONSE
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, Americans were relatively favorable toward the WHO’s response. A majority (55%) said the organization was doing a good job managing the pandemic. Yet, 42% gave it a bad rating.
In comparison, only 42% of Americans approved of the U.S. government’s handling of the outbreak, and just 43% gave China positive marks. Germany (72%) and the European Union (61%) received higher approval ratings for their pandemic management.
The Future of U.S.-WHO Relations
As the U.S. continues to grapple with its relationship to international organizations like the WHO, public opinion is likely to remain divided. This division is especially true given the polarized political climate. While many Americans acknowledge some benefits of WHO membership, a growing number are questioning whether the U.S. should continue its involvement—particularly in the wake of the pandemic’s impact on global health and diplomacy.
The Pew Research Center’s findings show that most Americans still see value in the World Health Organisation. Nevertheless, political affiliation increasingly shapes those views. Democrats are more supportive of the organization than Republicans. This divide could play a significant role in future policy decisions related to global health cooperation and the U.S.’s role in international organizations
