The World Health Organization has launched new membership for its Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health . This group will provide scientific advice to channel behavioural science evidence into policy to achieve better health outcomes.
Expert group for behavioural sciences
Following a global call which attracted 340 applications from 71 countries, sixteen highly qualified advisers were selected. These experts represent a diversity of 15 nationalities across all six WHO regions and have expertise in social and behavioural sciences, including psychology, anthropology and behavioural economics. Their experience covers a variety of health topics such as maternal, newborn and child health; HIV and other sexually transmitted infections; cardiovascular disease, obesity and physical activity; vaccination; water and sanitation; and emergency preparedness and response. Importantly, they have substantial experience of using behavioural science to design and implement policies and programmes in low- and middle-income countries.
The new members of the Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health will support WHO's response to Resolution WHA76.7 and contribute to WHO's 14th Global Programme of Work , through advising on the development of methods, tools and mechanisms to support Member States in applying the behavioural sciences. They will also inform the implementation of the Behavioural Sciences for Better Health Initiative .
"Integrating behavioural insights into policies is key to advancing health equity efficiently and effectively," said Dr Ailan Li, Assistant Director-General of WHO. "Understanding human behaviour is essential to designing effective strategies. WHO has a very important leadership role in channelling behavioural sciences evidence into policy to achieve public health impact on the ground and global health outcomes."
"Providing evidence-based advice is central to WHO's mission, and the Technical Advisory Group will ensure that that advice is based on the latest behavioural science," said Elena Altieri, Head of the Behavioural Insights Unit at WHO.
Behavioural science for better health
Human behaviour affects health outcomes. Understanding and integrating behavioural evidence at the individual, community, and population level is essential to design effective policies and programmes.
The World Health Assembly Resolution WHA76.7 on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health, which was adopted in 2023, called for the mainstreaming of behavioural sciences to achieve more effective, equitable, and people-centred health policies.
The Behavioural Sciences for Better Health Initiative promotes and enables the systematic use of behavioural and social sciences in public health across the work of WHO and that of its partners. This initiative is part of WHO's transformation to better promote health, keep the world safe and serve the most vulnerable in a changing world.
