WHO Launches "Together for Science and Health" — a Global Trust-in-Science Movement With an Official Launch Set for November 10, 2026
October 13, 2026. The World Health Organization announced a global call inviting organizations and institutions to affiliate with Together for Science and Health, "a new movement to strengthen the connection between science, health and society and build trust in evidence-informed decision-making." The movement will be officially launched on November 10, 2026.
The framing is defensive in substance even as it celebrates past wins: "Science has changed the course of human health... But progress cannot be taken for granted. People need to be able to trust scientific evidence, understand what it means for their lives, help shape the questions science seeks to answer and have a fair opportunity to benefit from its advances." WHO Chief Scientist Dr. Sylvie Briand: "Science is not just about making discoveries. It is about making a difference in people's lives and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to benefit."
The movement is built on three pillars:
- science and society — bringing scientists and communities closer so research reflects people's needs and strengthens trust;
- science and policy — helping decision-makers use reliable evidence for "practical, fair and effective health policies"; and
- science communication — "responding constructively to misinformation and disinformation."
Affiliating organizations endorse a Declaration of Commitment and indicate how they'll contribute to the pillars; the movement's stated values are the "RISES" principles (Respect, Integrity, Scientific Rigor, Ethical Responsibility, Social Inclusion). It builds on the World Health Day 2026 theme, "Together for health. Stand with science."
Why it matters: this is WHO institutionalizing the fight over science trust as a standing program — launched the same week the Wellcome Global Monitor 2026 showed trust in science falling since COVID (World Health Summit 2026 (Berlin): Gates Foundation and Wellcome Leap Commit $100M to "Uzima" Stillbirth Initiative; Bangladesh Puts €250M Into Women's Health; Wellcome Global Monitor Shows Trust in Science Falling), and against the backdrop of the U.S. vaccine-policy upheaval (Kennedy's Vaccine Overhaul on Trial: First Circuit Weighs the ACIP Freeze While a 16-State Coalition Sues to Restore the Childhood Schedule, HHS Launches Agency-Wide "Vaccine Injury" Initiative: NIH Clinic Opened Quietly Oct 5, CMS to Pay Doctors for VAERS Reports). The Nov 10 launch — who affiliates, and whether U.S. institutions participate — is the next concrete signal.