B2 – Upper Intermediate
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending almost 80 years of membership. Health experts warn this decision could weaken global disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness, disrupt funding, and reduce U.S. influence in critical health data sharing with potential global impacts on vaccine coordination and future outbreak responses.
Read the article to know more about this major international health policy shift.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9zznx8qdno
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “arrear” mean? “Although WHO lawyers suggest the US is obliged to pay the arrears – estimated at $260m (£193m) – Washington said it saw no reason to do so.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “pathogen sharing” mean? “The US department said it would have bilateral relations with other countries to ensure disease surveillance and pathogen sharing, but were unable to provide information about which specific countries they had such links with so far.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “governing body” mean? “It told the BBC that its secretariat will act according to the advice from the governing bodies.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think could be the biggest global impact when a powerful country changes its health policy?
- How might this decision affect poorer countries or those with weaker healthcare systems?
- How could this policy shift affect future pandemics or global disease control?
- Do you think international organizations like the WHO are still important today? Why or why not?
- Should health policies be decided nationally or globally? Explain your opinion.