The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new global initiative aimed at strengthening public trust in science and promoting the use of scientific knowledge to improve healthcare and development across the world. The initiative, known as Together for Science and Health, brings together more than 240 organizations that have committed to working collectively to ensure scientific discoveries and research contribute to better health outcomes for communities worldwide.

The global movement was officially launched on November 10, 2026, to coincide with World Science Day for Peace and Development, an annual occasion that highlights the importance of science in promoting peace, sustainable development and improved living standards. The launch marks a renewed international effort to strengthen the relationship between scientific institutions, governments, healthcare professionals and members of the public.

Through the initiative, WHO hopes to establish stronger cooperation among scientists, policymakers, researchers, health professionals, civil society organizations and other institutions involved in advancing scientific knowledge. The participating organizations are expected to share expertise, experiences and resources while developing practical approaches to ensure that scientific evidence is understood, trusted and used to address challenges affecting human health.

The initiative comes at a time when scientific information is increasingly influencing important decisions in healthcare, disease prevention, medical research and public policy. However, concerns about misinformation, declining confidence in scientific institutions and difficulties in communicating complex research findings have continued to create challenges for healthcare systems and communities.

WHO believes that strengthening public confidence in science is essential to ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into meaningful improvements in people's lives. The organization maintains that scientific progress cannot achieve its full potential if communities are unable to understand the evidence behind medical recommendations or have limited confidence in the institutions providing health information.

The movement is being led by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and French President Emmanuel Macron, bringing together international leadership around the shared objective of promoting science as a foundation for healthier and more resilient societies.

Speaking during the launch, Dr Tedros emphasized the important contribution science has made towards improving human health, noting that scientific discoveries have enabled people to live longer and healthier lives. He highlighted the role of vaccines, medicines, disease prevention programmes and outbreak response systems in protecting populations against illnesses and reducing the burden of disease.

According to WHO, the new movement will concentrate on three major areas of collaboration, including strengthening the relationship between science and society, increasing the use of scientific evidence in policymaking and improving the way scientific information is communicated and discussed.

The first priority seeks to bring scientific institutions and communities closer together by encouraging greater public participation in scientific processes. Through this approach, researchers and institutions will be encouraged to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of the communities they serve when developing research programmes and scientific solutions.

The organization believes that members of the public should not simply be recipients of scientific information but should also have opportunities to participate in discussions about research priorities and the development of solutions affecting their health and well-being.

This approach is expected to strengthen relationships between scientists and communities while ensuring that scientific discoveries respond to real challenges facing different populations. It also seeks to make scientific progress more inclusive by encouraging participation from young people, healthcare workers, civil society organizations and communities that may not always have sufficient access to scientific resources.

The second priority focuses on strengthening the use of scientific evidence in government decisions and public health policies. WHO wants policymakers to rely more heavily on credible research, reliable data and scientific findings when developing policies intended to improve healthcare delivery and address public health challenges.

Evidence-based policymaking is particularly important in areas such as disease prevention, vaccination, healthcare financing, access to medicines and emergency preparedness. Decisions in these areas can have significant consequences for millions of people, making it necessary for governments and institutions to consider reliable scientific information before introducing interventions.

The organization hopes that stronger cooperation between researchers and policymakers will help ensure that scientific discoveries are translated into practical policies that respond to the needs of different communities.

The third priority involves improving scientific communication and strengthening public discussions around research and evidence. WHO recognizes that scientific information is not always communicated in ways that ordinary citizens can easily understand, creating opportunities for misleading information to spread.

The growth of digital platforms and social media has transformed how people access health information. While these platforms have made it easier to share scientific discoveries and medical advice, they have also increased the circulation of inaccurate claims, misleading health messages and information that may create confusion among the public.

The organization believes that improving scientific communication will help communities distinguish credible information from misleading claims while encouraging informed discussions about health matters.

Under the new movement, participating organizations will be encouraged to exchange effective communication strategies, share resources and develop partnerships that make scientific knowledge more accessible to the public.

The initiative also recognizes the growing influence of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in shaping how people access, interpret and distribute information.

Artificial intelligence has created new opportunities for research, medical diagnosis, healthcare management and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. However, the rapid development of these technologies has also introduced concerns about the accuracy and reliability of information being generated and shared.

WHO believes that strengthening the connection between science and society will help people engage with scientific evidence more confidently as technological changes continue to transform the global information environment.

The movement is also expected to promote responsible use of technology while encouraging institutions to ensure that scientific developments remain guided by ethical considerations and the interests of society.

WHO Chief Scientist and Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, Dr Sylvie Briand, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in building and maintaining public confidence in science.

She noted that no single institution, country or community can independently establish lasting trust in scientific knowledge, highlighting the need for dialogue and cooperation among different stakeholders.

The movement is therefore intended to provide a platform where organizations can exchange ideas, address common challenges and develop practical partnerships instead of allowing disagreements and divisions to undermine confidence in scientific research.

Dr Briand also emphasized that science should be treated as a shared resource capable of contributing to healthier, fairer and more resilient societies.

The initiative brings together organizations representing different sectors, including research institutions, healthcare organizations, universities, policymakers, civil society groups and other stakeholders committed to advancing science for the benefit of humanity.

Participating organizations will be expected to contribute their expertise, experience and networks towards achieving the movement's objectives. They will also have opportunities to share successful approaches and identify areas where cooperation can improve the use of scientific evidence in healthcare and development.

The initiative is guided by five core values: respect, integrity, scientific rigour, ethical responsibility and social inclusion. These principles are intended to guide participating organizations as they work towards strengthening the relationship between science and society.

WHO has also indicated that participation in the movement is open to institutions and organizations whose activities and values align with its objectives. Interested organizations are expected to demonstrate their commitment by endorsing the initiative's declaration and completing the affiliation process.

The organization has clarified that affiliation does not automatically provide funding to participating institutions, which will remain responsible for financing their own activities and contributions to the movement.

The launch was marked by 12 events held across different countries and regions, bringing together stakeholders interested in strengthening the role of science in improving health and development.

The initiative was also closely associated with the Paris Peace Forum, a platform that promotes international cooperation and discussions on shared global challenges. The partnership reflects the importance of bringing together governments, institutions and other international actors to address issues that require collective action.

The movement builds on the momentum created by World Health Day 2026, which was observed under the theme Together for Health. Stand with Science. The campaign highlighted the importance of scientific knowledge in protecting public health and improving people's well-being.

For developing countries, including those across Africa, strengthening trust in science could have important implications for healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, medical research and access to reliable health information.

Many African countries continue to face challenges associated with limited healthcare resources, infectious diseases, inadequate medical infrastructure and unequal access to essential medicines. Strengthening scientific cooperation could help institutions develop practical solutions that respond to these challenges.

Reliable scientific information is particularly important during disease outbreaks, when communities need accurate guidance on prevention, symptoms, treatment and available healthcare services. Effective communication can help people understand public health recommendations and make informed decisions about protecting themselves and their families.

The initiative could also encourage greater cooperation between African research institutions and international scientific organizations, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

However, ensuring that scientific discoveries benefit everyone will require more than simply making research available. Governments and institutions will also need to address barriers that prevent communities from accessing healthcare services, understanding scientific information and benefiting from medical innovations.

The success of the movement will therefore depend on the commitment of participating organizations to turn their shared objectives into practical activities that improve people's lives.

WHO has called on more organizations and institutions worldwide to join the initiative and contribute their knowledge, experience and networks towards strengthening public confidence in science.

Through Together for Science and Health, the organization hopes to establish stronger connections between scientific research, public policy and everyday life while ensuring that evidence-based decisions remain central to efforts aimed at improving global health.

The launch represents the beginning of a broader international effort to make science more inclusive, accessible and trusted, with WHO emphasizing that scientific progress should ultimately serve humanity and contribute to better health for all.