WHO COVID-19 social science in outbreak response. Community-centred approaches to health emergencies: progress, gaps and research priorities.

Overview

The WHO ad hoc consultation: Community-centred approaches to health emergencies: progress, gaps and research priorities brought together stakeholders from around the world who share a common goal: ensuring community-centred approaches are at the core of health emergencies.

Researchers, practitioners, governmental representatives, representatives of multilateral agencies and donors presented case studies and discussed progress, gaps and research priorities for community-centred approaches. Meeting objectives were to:

• Identify knowledge gaps and evidence needs that can be addressed through interdisciplinary or social science research.

• Understand and document the experience gained through local, regional, and national approaches, strategies and initiatives for inclusive, people and community-centred responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.

• Inspire new perspectives to tackling pandemic challenges through citizen engagement and participation.