WHO Initiative on Trust and Pandemic Preparedness

Trust has been identified as an important determinant of successful epidemic, pandemic and health emergency preparedness and response. The absence of trust and so-called trust deficits can be considered risk factors to effective health emergency response, including trust within and between communities and trust in pandemic preparedness processes.

WHO Initiative on Trust and Pandemic Preparedness has been established to convene the many diverse stakeholders involved in building and maintaining trust in epidemic, pandemic and health emergency preparedness and response. With these stakeholders, the Initiative will focus on furthering a collective understanding of trust in the context of epidemics, pandemics and health emergencies and co-developing actionable tools and strategies. Outputs will support Member States to measure, build and sustain trust before, during and after pandemics, epidemics and health emergencies to better protect lives and livelihoods.

Concept Note

Current work

In 2024, the WHO Initiative on Trust and Pandemic Preparedness will advance global research on the role of trust in pandemic preparedness and response, including through establishing a global community of research and practice; develop tools to measure trust to enhance pandemic preparedness and response; and define interventions that can be adapted and localized by Member States to build trust prior to pandemics, epidemics and health emergencies and sustain trust during these events.

This Initiative aligns closely with broader work within WHO and globally related to trust and public health.