WHO Launches Global ‘Together for Science and Health’ Movement to Strengthen Public Trust in Scientific Evidence

GENEVA, Nov 10: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new global initiative aimed at strengthening public confidence in scientific evidence and ensuring that advances in research and technology contribute more effectively to better health outcomes.

Named ‘Together for Science and Health’, the movement brings together more than 240 organisations under a shared commitment to promote scientific understanding, encourage evidence-based policymaking and improve cooperation between scientific institutions and society.

The initiative was officially launched on November 10 to mark World Science Day for Peace and Development, with activities organised across different countries and regions.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and French President Emmanuel Macron are leading the launch, which is closely associated with the Paris Peace Forum.

The organisation said the movement would focus on ensuring that scientific knowledge remains accessible, trusted and relevant to people’s everyday health requirements.

The initiative comes at a time when rapid technological developments, artificial intelligence and digital communication are changing how people access and share health information.

While these developments have created new opportunities for scientific advancement, they have also increased the importance of ensuring that the public can distinguish reliable medical evidence from misleading information.

Through the new movement, WHO aims to encourage collective action involving scientists, policymakers, healthcare professionals, institutions, civil society organisations and communities.

Three priorities to guide global action

The initiative is structured around three interconnected priorities designed to strengthen the relationship between scientific research and public health.

The first focuses on bringing science and society closer together. WHO aims to encourage greater interaction between researchers and communities so that scientific work reflects people’s needs, experiences and concerns.

The second priority involves strengthening the use of scientific evidence in policymaking. Governments and public institutions make decisions that directly influence healthcare services, disease prevention and medical research. The movement seeks to encourage decision-makers to rely on credible evidence when developing health policies.

The third priority concerns science communication. WHO wants to improve how scientific information is presented, discussed and understood by the public.

The organisation believes that effective communication is necessary to help people make informed decisions about their health and understand the importance of scientific developments.

Participating organisations will be encouraged to share resources, successful approaches and practical experiences while developing partnerships to support these priorities.

Why public trust in science matters

Scientific research has played a major role in improving human health over several decades.

Vaccines have helped prevent infectious diseases, antibiotics have transformed the treatment of bacterial infections, and advances in medical technology have improved the diagnosis and management of serious illnesses.

Developments in nutrition, sanitation, maternal healthcare and disease prevention have also contributed to improvements in public health.

However, scientific discoveries can produce meaningful benefits only when they are translated into practical healthcare services and accepted by the people who need them.

Public confidence is particularly important in areas such as vaccination, disease prevention, screening programmes and the adoption of new treatments.

When individuals understand the scientific basis of medical recommendations, they are better positioned to make informed choices and seek appropriate healthcare.

On the other hand, confusion and misleading claims can create barriers to the acceptance of effective health interventions.

WHO’s new initiative seeks to address this challenge by encouraging dialogue rather than confrontation and promoting a stronger connection between scientific institutions and the communities they serve.

Dr Tedros said science had been one of humanity’s most powerful tools and had contributed to longer and healthier lives through vaccines, medicines, disease prevention and outbreak response.

He emphasised that the movement would work towards making scientific evidence, trust and innovation central to the development of healthier societies.

Addressing misinformation in the digital age

The spread of health-related misinformation has become a growing concern for healthcare organisations worldwide.

Digital platforms allow information to reach millions of people within a short period. Although this has improved access to educational material and medical updates, inaccurate claims can also circulate rapidly.

Misleading information about vaccines, medicines, infectious diseases and treatment methods can create confusion among patients and families.

The increasing use of artificial intelligence has added another dimension to this challenge. AI-powered tools can help people access and interpret information, but they can also generate inaccurate or misleading material when used without appropriate safeguards.

WHO believes that strengthening science communication is necessary to address these developments.

The movement aims to encourage institutions and experts to communicate research findings in a manner that is understandable, transparent and responsive to public concerns.

Healthcare professionals also play an important role in this process because patients frequently depend on doctors, nurses and other medical workers for guidance about treatments and preventive measures.

Clear communication can help patients understand the benefits and limitations of medical interventions, reducing the likelihood of confusion caused by unverified information.

The initiative also seeks to promote constructive discussions in which public questions and concerns are taken seriously.

Rather than treating public engagement as a one way process, the movement encourages scientific institutions to listen to communities and understand the issues affecting their healthcare decisions.

Connecting researchers with communities

One of the central ideas behind the initiative is that scientific research should respond to the needs of society.

Research institutions often focus on developing new technologies, medicines and treatment approaches. However, the effectiveness of these developments also depends on whether they address the actual problems faced by patients and healthcare systems.

Closer engagement between researchers and communities can help identify gaps in medical services and guide future research priorities.

For example, communities experiencing limited access to healthcare may require different solutions from those living in areas with well-developed medical infrastructure.

Similarly, public health programmes need to consider local conditions, cultural differences and the availability of healthcare resources.

The movement aims to create opportunities for scientists, healthcare workers, policymakers and community representatives to exchange ideas and work towards common objectives.

Such cooperation could help ensure that scientific advancements are not limited to laboratories or academic institutions but are translated into practical improvements in healthcare delivery.

WHO Chief Scientist Dr Sylvie Briand highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in building trust.

She said no institution, country or community could establish and maintain confidence in science independently.

The movement, she explained, would provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation rather than polarisation.

Evidence-based policymaking

The use of scientific evidence in public policy is another major component of the initiative.

Healthcare decisions frequently involve complex questions related to disease prevention, medical treatment, resource allocation and public health priorities.

Governments must assess available evidence before introducing programmes or changing existing healthcare policies.

Evidence-based policymaking helps decision-makers evaluate the potential benefits, limitations and risks of different approaches.

It also allows public institutions to review the effectiveness of existing interventions and make improvements when new scientific findings become available.

The WHO initiative seeks to strengthen the relationship between research institutions and policymakers so that reliable evidence can be incorporated into public health planning.

This is particularly important during disease outbreaks and other health emergencies, when timely decisions can influence the effectiveness of the response.

The availability of accurate information and clear scientific guidance can help governments communicate risks and introduce appropriate preventive measures.

The movement also aims to encourage the sharing of experiences between organisations and countries, allowing successful approaches to be adapted to different healthcare environments.

Global participation across different regions

The launch involved 12 events across countries and regions, bringing together stakeholders from different sectors.

The programme was designed to encourage participation from scientists, institutional leaders, policymakers and community representatives.

The association with the Paris Peace Forum reflects the importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges that extend beyond national boundaries.

Health emergencies, infectious diseases and environmental risks often require coordinated action between governments and international organisations.

Scientific collaboration can help countries share knowledge, improve research capabilities and develop more effective responses to common health challenges.

By bringing together more than 240 organisations, WHO aims to create a wider network through which participants can exchange expertise and contribute to shared goals.

The organisation has invited additional institutions worldwide to join the movement and contribute their knowledge, experience and networks.

Participating organisations are expected to support the initiative’s principles and contribute to its priorities through practical activities and collaboration.

Making scientific progress accessible to everyone

An important objective of the movement is to ensure that the benefits of scientific advancement reach people across different communities and economic backgrounds.

Access to scientific knowledge and advanced healthcare services remains uneven in many parts of the world.

Some communities have access to advanced hospitals, specialised doctors and modern diagnostic facilities, while others continue to face shortages of healthcare workers and essential medical services.

Improving public understanding of science must therefore go hand in hand with efforts to make healthcare innovations more accessible.

Scientific discoveries can have limited impact if people cannot afford or access the resulting medicines, diagnostic technologies or treatments.

WHO’s initiative seeks to strengthen the connection between scientific progress and broader social development.

By encouraging cooperation across sectors, the organisation hopes to support solutions that are scientifically reliable, socially relevant and responsive to public health requirements.

The involvement of young people, civil society groups and community organisations is also important for building long-term public engagement with science.

Educational institutions and research organisations can help develop scientific understanding among younger generations, encouraging critical thinking and informed decision-making.

A long-term effort to strengthen global health

The launch of ‘Together for Science and Health’ marks the beginning of a broader international effort to improve confidence in scientific knowledge and strengthen its contribution to public health.

Its success will depend on sustained participation from organisations and institutions, effective communication strategies and the development of practical partnerships.

WHO has emphasised that scientific progress should remain connected to the needs of society and that people should have an opportunity to understand and benefit from research developments.

The three priorities of science and society, science and policy, and science communication provide a framework for achieving these objectives.

As artificial intelligence and digital technologies continue to influence the way health information is produced and distributed, the need for reliable scientific communication is expected to become even more important.

The initiative seeks to ensure that scientific evidence remains a foundation for healthcare decisions while encouraging greater public participation in discussions about health and development.

Through this global movement, WHO and its partners aim to strengthen trust, encourage responsible innovation and support the development of healthier, fairer and more resilient societies.