The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a global movement uniting over 240 organisations to strengthen public trust in science and advance its application in health and development.
In a statement on Tuesday, the organisation announced that the “Together for Science and Health” movement was officially launched on World Science Day for Peace and Development.
Twelve events were held across various countries and regions to mark the launch and promote the initiative’s objectives.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and French President Emmanuel Macron are leading the initiative, which aims to unite scientists, policymakers, leaders, and institutions across sectors. Ghebreyesus stated that science remains one of humanity’s most effective tools for improving health, highlighting the significant contributions of vaccines, medicines, disease prevention, and outbreak response to longer, healthier lives.
He added that WHO and its partners will use the movement to promote evidence, public trust, and innovation as essential foundations for healthier societies. The initiative would focus on bringing science closer to society, strengthening evidence-based health policymaking and improving how scientific information is communicated and discussed.
“Parti“Participating organisations will share effective approaches, resources, and experiences, and develop practical collaborations to strengthen public confidence and ensure scientific progress benefits everyone,” he said. Reyesus said scientific advances have played critical roles in detecting and preventing diseases, developing medicines, responding to outbreaks, and improving healthcare delivery.
He said public confidence in scientific evidence is essential to translating research and discoveries into practical health interventions that benefit individuals, families, and communities.
WHO Chief Scientist and Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, Dr Sylvie Briand, added that no institution, country, or community can build and sustain public trust alone.
Briand stated that the movement will provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration, encouraging stakeholders to view science as a shared resource. She emphasised that collective responsibility is necessary to build healthier, fairer, and more resilient societies through scientific knowledge, cooperation, and innovation.
Briand also highlighted the increasing influence of technological advancements and artificial intelligence on how people access, interpret, and share scientific and health information.
“The movement will strengthen connections between science and society, enabling people to engage with scientific evidence and apply it confidently when making health-related decisions.
“Organisations and institutions worldwide will join the initiative, contribute their expertise and networks, and support efforts to ensure trusted science leads to better health outcomes for all,” she said.
