(WASHINGTON, DC) The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) strongly recommends the Trump Administration reconsider its decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Representing approximately 2,000 board-certified preventive medicine physicians, ACPM emphasizes the importance of collaboration and prevention at the local, state, federal and international levels. Constructive engagement, rather than disengagement and isolation, is what will best serve to protect and defend America. We live in a world filled with myriad diseases that respect no borders, as the COVID-19 pandemic recently demonstrated.
As a founding member of the WHO in 1948, the United States has played a pivotal role in shaping and governing the WHO’s work, most notably with the eradication of smallpox. Collaboration with the WHO has been instrumental in addressing global health challenges and protecting the health of Americans for more than 75 years. Instead of leaving the WHO, ACPM recommends that America strengthen its position at the WHO in response to global health threats and deliver American exceptionalism along with public health leadership on the international stage.
"Public health preparedness and response depend on a unified front. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect populations around the world," said Dr. Mirza Rahman, President of ACPM. "Diseases respect no borders. Withdrawing support from the WHO will likely have an immediate and significant negative impact not only on global health worldwide, but also right here at home in America.” Dr. Rahman emphasized that, “We should look to lead the WHO, as preventive medicine and public health experts, in order to best address emerging health threats efficiently and effectively, not leave it."
Diseases, particularly epidemics and pandemics, pose a threat to all mankind. Their management and eradication relies on multinational efforts to prevent and reduce illness, injury and death from afflictions, including those that once plagued our nation like smallpox, polio and malaria. With evolving health hazards from known and unknown pathogens, ACPM believes a coordinated, proactive approach is essential in protecting national security and ensuring American prosperity.
ACPM is committed to supporting evidence-based, informed decision-making in the face of evolving public health threats. ACPM recommends remaining fully engaged with the WHO, as solidifying leadership within the global health community will help to deliver a healthier and more resilient America. ACPM stands ready to collaborate with like-minded partners across various sectors, to navigate the challenges posed by this recent decision and encourages the Trump Administration to reverse its decision and maintain this country’s membership, and indeed reassert its leadership, in the World Health Organization.
Back to news listing
Representing approximately 2,000 board-certified preventive medicine physicians, ACPM emphasizes the importance of collaboration and prevention at the local, state, federal and international levels. Constructive engagement, rather than disengagement and isolation, is what will best serve to protect and defend America. We live in a world filled with myriad diseases that respect no borders, as the COVID-19 pandemic recently demonstrated.
As a founding member of the WHO in 1948, the United States has played a pivotal role in shaping and governing the WHO’s work, most notably with the eradication of smallpox. Collaboration with the WHO has been instrumental in addressing global health challenges and protecting the health of Americans for more than 75 years. Instead of leaving the WHO, ACPM recommends that America strengthen its position at the WHO in response to global health threats and deliver American exceptionalism along with public health leadership on the international stage.
"Public health preparedness and response depend on a unified front. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect populations around the world," said Dr. Mirza Rahman, President of ACPM. "Diseases respect no borders. Withdrawing support from the WHO will likely have an immediate and significant negative impact not only on global health worldwide, but also right here at home in America.” Dr. Rahman emphasized that, “We should look to lead the WHO, as preventive medicine and public health experts, in order to best address emerging health threats efficiently and effectively, not leave it."
Diseases, particularly epidemics and pandemics, pose a threat to all mankind. Their management and eradication relies on multinational efforts to prevent and reduce illness, injury and death from afflictions, including those that once plagued our nation like smallpox, polio and malaria. With evolving health hazards from known and unknown pathogens, ACPM believes a coordinated, proactive approach is essential in protecting national security and ensuring American prosperity.
ACPM is committed to supporting evidence-based, informed decision-making in the face of evolving public health threats. ACPM recommends remaining fully engaged with the WHO, as solidifying leadership within the global health community will help to deliver a healthier and more resilient America. ACPM stands ready to collaborate with like-minded partners across various sectors, to navigate the challenges posed by this recent decision and encourages the Trump Administration to reverse its decision and maintain this country’s membership, and indeed reassert its leadership, in the World Health Organization.
###
For more information or to speak with an ACPM representative, please contact media@acpm.org
About ACPM:
The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is a professional medical society representing approximately 2,000 physicians, dedicated to the practice of preventive medicine; improving the health and quality of life of individuals, families, communities, and populations through disease prevention and health promotion. For more information about ACPM, visit www.acpm.org.