U.S. Withdraws Support for U.N. Declaration to Combat Chronic Disease
NEW YORK – The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from a United Nations political declaration aimed at reducing deaths from non-communicable diseases and improving mental health care globally, despite widespread international support for the initiative. The decision, revealed Friday, comes amid a pattern of the Trump managementS criticism of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other U.N. agencies.
Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the U.S. will “walk away from the declaration,but we will never walk away from the world or our commitment to end chronic disease.” He argued the declaration “exceeds the U.N.’s proper role while ignoring the most pressing health issues,” though he did not specify which issues he meant.HHS declined to provide further explanation when questioned by NPR.
Kennedy Jr. expressed concerns about the promotion of “radical gender ideology” and abortion within the U.N.system, despite the declaration not addressing either reproductive rights or gender identity.
The declaration focuses on the global burden of non-communicable diseases – including strokes and lung disease – which cause 43 million deaths annually. Of these, 18 million occur before age 70, with over 80% of premature deaths happening in low- and middle-income countries. The document sets targets for 2030, including a 150 million reduction in tobacco users, improved hypertension control for 150 million more people, and expanded access to mental health care.
While some advocates noted the declaration’s omission of sugary beverages and their link to childhood obesity, the WHO reported “world leaders have expressed overwhelming support for the text” in a statement released Friday.
This rejection is part of a larger trend of the Trump administration distancing itself from international health organizations. The U.S. initiated withdrawal from the WHO on inauguration night and afterward restricted dialog between U.S. health officials and the organization. Kennedy Jr.has also taken steps to limit funding for global health initiatives, including cutting funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, citing “safety issues” based on a disputed study.
Despite the U.S. withdrawal,the declaration will proceed to a final vote by member states in the U.N. general Assembly in October. U.N. General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock expressed confidence in its eventual approval,stating,”There’s a feeling of resolve not to let this stand in the way of the urgent action needed.”
