The World Health Organization (WHO) today 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.
Science has changed the course of human health. Antibiotics have made once-deadly bacterial infections treatable. Advances in vaccination, nutrition, sanitation and medical care have helped millions more children survive and thrive. Antiretroviral treatment has enabled millions of people living with HIV to live longer and healthier lives. Cancer screening, prevention and new treatments are helping to prevent cancers, detect them earlier and improve and extend lives.
These achievements show what is possible when scientific discoveries are translated into action. 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.
No single institution can achieve this alone. Researchers, health professionals, policy-makers, communities, funders and citizens must work together to turn scientific knowledge into better health for all. Together for Science and Health will support this collective effort by connecting organizations across sectors, sharing effective approaches and encouraging practical collaboration around common priorities.
“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,” said Dr Sylvie Briand, WHO Chief Scientist and Assistant Director-General for Better Health Systems, Access and Data a.i.
Together for Science and Health is built around three interconnected pillars:
- science and society: bringing scientists and communities closer together so that research reflects people’s needs and experiences, strengthens trust and benefits everyone;
- science and policy: helping decision-makers use reliable evidence to shape practical, fair and effective health policies; and
- science communication: making science easier to understand and discuss, listening to people’s questions and concerns, and responding constructively to misinformation and disinformation.
Call for affiliation
WHO invites organizations and institutions that share the movement’s vision and values to join Together for Science and Health.
Organizations wishing to affiliate are invited to endorse the Declaration of Commitment and complete the affiliation form , support the movement’s principles and values, and indicate how they can contribute to its three pillars.
By affiliating, organizations can contribute expertise, networks and practical solutions to strengthen trust in science and improve health outcomes through collaboration across sectors.
The movement will be officially launched on 10 November 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in collective action to make science a stronger force for health, equity and the public good.
About Together for Science and Health
Together for Science and Health is a global movement convened by WHO that brings together scientists, policy-makers, health professionals, communicators, civil society, young people and communities around a shared commitment to science as a foundation for better health. It champions science for health across three interconnected pillars – science and society, science and policy, and science communication – underpinned by the RISES values of Respect, Integrity, Scientific Rigor, Ethical Responsibility and Social Inclusion.
About WHO
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, WHO leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the United Nations’ agency for health that connects nations, partners and people in more than 150 locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to support all countries to promote, provide and protect health. “Together for health. Stand with science”, the theme of World Health Day 2026, marks a year-long campaign to highlight science as the foundation for protecting health and well-being worldwide.
