WHO policy brief: Building trust through risk communication and community engagement and infodemic management

Overview

• Accessible, trustworthy and credible health information is essential for the acceptance and adoption of life-saving interventions in the current context of COVID-19. 
• Engaging communities to understand their needs, address concerns and develop joint solutions remains critical for trust and cooperation. 
• The COVID-19 infodemic–which has been characterized by an overabundance of information, some of it inaccurate or outdated–continues to spread worldwide and should be addressed through evidence-based and tailored risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management strategies.  
• Countries are advised to maintain national and sub-national capacities for risk communication and community engagement and infodemic management as appropriate for preparedness, prevention and the COVID-19 response, as per the WHO Director-General’s standing recommendations. 
• For emergency response to be successful, it is vital that national policies incorporate community engagement and community feedback mechanisms into RCCE-infodemic management approaches and plans.  
• Health workers, who are often the first port of call for people seeking information, should be supported through training in RCCE-infodemic management.