The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth are deeply concerned by President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he plans to terminate the United States’ relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO). Since WHO’s inception in 1948, the United States has been a committed partner in global health: supporting primary health care, providing health security from diseases like polio, malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola, and providing leadership to keep over 3 billion vulnerable people around the world safe.

As pediatric healthcare experts, we believe it is imperative that our national leaders maintain a global perspective and collaborate with our colleagues across the world to develop solutions to improve health outcomes. We must join with international health partners to optimize child and family health because diseases are not contained by borders, they are contained by diligent monitoring, research and development of and administration of vaccines and healthcare protocols.

We urge President Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw from WHO and re-engage with our worldwide colleagues to promote the health and wellbeing of all families.