Today, the United States officially rejected the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005. This decision was announced in a joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy. The rejection was conveyed by the Department of State in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services.
The World Health Assembly adopted these amendments in 2024, expanding the World Health Organization's authority over international public health responses. The U.S. officials criticized the lack of public input during their development and expressed concerns about undue influence on domestic health responses from WHO directives.
"The amendments also suggest that countries develop capabilities that jeopardize management and dissemination controls over public health information," according to Rubio and Kennedy. They emphasized that these changes could stifle scientific debate and compel countries to adopt digital health documents.
"Our Agencies have been and will continue to be clear: we will put Americans first in all our actions," they stated, highlighting concerns about infringement on Americans' speech, privacy, or personal liberties.
The U.S. maintains its stance against international policies perceived as infringing on national sovereignty regarding health policy decisions.