Governments across the Western Pacific are strengthening systems to manage health information during emergencies, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting measurable gains in risk communication and community engagement capacity under sustained pandemic preparedness investments.

In a feature released on April 17, WHO said countries in the Western Pacific Region have increasingly institutionalised evidence-based approaches to communication, as the rapid spread of informationoften accompanied by misinformation poses a growing challenge during health crises.

The organisation said effective communication systems are critical to ensuring that populations receive timely, accurate and actionable guidance during outbreaks.According to WHO, progress in strengthening risk communication and community engagement, commonly referred to as RCCE, has been supported by financing under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework Partnership Contribution.

These investments have enabled collaboration between WHO and national governments to embed RCCE into broader pandemic preparedness strategies.Improvements are reflected in findings from the State Party Self-Assessment Annual Report, a monitoring tool used to evaluate national capacities under the International Health Regulations.

WHO said that since 2012, average RCCE scores across the region have increased by seven points, indicating steady progress. Countries in the Mekong subregion recorded a significantly larger improvement, with scores rising by 38 points following targeted technical assistance supported through PIP funding.WHO said these gains demonstrate how sustained and predictable investment can translate into stronger institutional capacity and improved resilience at both national and regional levels.

The organisation noted that a key focus has been the integration of social and behavioural insights into communication strategies, allowing authorities to better understand how populations perceive and respond to health risks.Consultations among member states identified the need for practical tools to support this shift, leading to the rollout of the Behavioural Research and Intelligence for Directed Guidance in Emergencies, or BRIDGE, approach across the region.

WHO describes BRIDGE as a framework comprising technical tools for data collection, alongside networks spanning academia, media, healthcare professionals and community organisations.The approach is designed to incorporate socio-cultural and behavioural data into preparedness planning, enabling health authorities to translate public perceptions and behaviours into targeted communication strategies during emergencies.

WHO said this has contributed to more coordinated and consistent messaging across countries in the region.As part of this effort, WHO has introduced tools for social listening, including an online monitoring system that allows countries to track health-related rumours, misinformation and public concerns in real time.

The platform, supported by a regional dashboard, has been made accessible to all member states, with training provided to national health authorities.According to WHO, member states produced more than 145 infodemic insight reports in 2025, focusing on COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.

These reports are used to identify information gaps and guide communication strategies aimed at addressing public concerns and countering misinformation.Countries receiving targeted support under the PIP framework have applied these tools in outbreak responses.

WHO said ministries of health in Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam have developed the capacity to conduct social listening and generate real-time insights. In Lao PDR, these capabilities were deployed during a dengue outbreak in 2025, while Cambodia used social listening data to adjust its community response during an avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreak the same year.

WHO noted that insights indicating low perceived risk among communities were incorporated into public messaging and outreach efforts.The organisation said these initiatives have contributed to the institutionalisation of evidence-based RCCE practices across the region. Countries are increasingly integrating mechanisms to address misinformation and disinformation into pandemic preparedness plans and standard operating procedures.

In Cambodia, health authorities, WHO and partner organisations have collaborated to develop new procedures for managing health-related misinformation. Dr Srey Teng, Deputy Director of Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control Department, said the approach is centred on early engagement and coordinated messaging.

“An infodemic can be managed when we listen to the public and communities, act on evidence and speak with one voice,” Teng said in the WHO report, adding that timely responses are essential to prevent misinformation from spreading.WHO said technical support under the PIP framework has enabled countries to embed these practices into national systems, ensuring that communication strategies are not limited to emergency response but form part of ongoing preparedness efforts.

This includes the integration of social listening and infodemic management into official planning documents and operational guidelines.In Tonga, WHO support contributed to the development of a National Multi-Hazard Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategy, reflecting a broader shift towards formalising communication frameworks across the region.

WHO said the evolving information environment, characterised by rapid dissemination of both accurate and misleading content, underscores the need for sustained investment in communication systems.

Strengthened RCCE capacities are intended to enable governments to identify emerging concerns earlier, respond more effectively and maintain public trust during health emergencies.