JRC and WHO Partner on Behavioral Public Health
The Joint Research Centre and the WHO are integrating behavioral insights into global health policies and programs.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Wellness
Live Poll
Should governments use behavioral science to influence public health choices?
On November 12, 2021, the Joint Research Centre and the World Health Organization signed a Collaborative Research Arrangement to advance public health policy. This partnership integrates behavioral science evidence into global healthcare strategies.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to improve the effectiveness of disease prevention and treatment programs worldwide. By addressing specific behavioral factors, the collaboration seeks to optimize health outcomes and support global health governance reforms.
The partnership follows a 4-year WHO initiative to utilize behavioral evidence for policy creation. The collaboration remains ongoing with technical guidance from an expert advisory group.
The players
Joint Research Centre
The Joint Research Centre serves as the European Commission's science and knowledge service which provides scientific evidence to support EU policies.
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
The details
Managed by the JRC's Competence Centre on Behavioural Insights, the project focuses on high-priority areas including non-communicable diseases and anti-microbial resistance. The collaboration also supports broader efforts to build the European Health Union.
Timeline
November 12, 2021: The Collaborative Research Arrangement was formally concluded.
2021: The World Health Organization launched its behavioral policymaking initiative.
The Big Picture
This collaboration aligns with the development of the European Health Union. It represents a systematic effort to integrate rigorous behavioral science into the structural governance of regional and global health systems.
Patients may eventually benefit from more effective public health campaigns designed to encourage better lifestyle habits and adherence to medical treatments. These programs are intended to address underlying behaviors that influence long-term wellness outcomes.
The takeaway
Using behavioral science to craft health policies helps authorities design programs that people are more likely to follow. This data-driven approach demonstrates how small changes in program structure can lead to significant improvements in public health effectiveness.
Further reading
For more on international health trends, visit the Wellness section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who.
Live Poll
Should governments use behavioral science to influence public health choices?
