Proposed new membership of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health
Following a public call for experts and rigorous selection process, the World Health Organization announces the proposed membership of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health. As per WHO processes for transparency in provision of technical/normative advice to WHO, this public notice is followed by a two-week comment period. Appointments to the TAG are subject to this comment period and relevant WHO practices and procedures.
Function of the TAG
In its capacity as an advisory body to WHO, the TAG shall have the following functions:
- To provide independent assessment of the scientific, technical and strategic aspects of applying the behavioural sciences to public health.
- To advise WHO on how to adopt behavioural science perspectives to support WHO work.
- To advise WHO on how to tackle priority areas for implementation of behavioural science approaches within WHO and in Member States.
- To advise WHO on the implementation of the Behavioural Sciences for Better Health Resolution.
- To make recommendations to WHO for the adoption of operational frameworks for the mainstreaming of behavioural sciences into WHO operations, particularly in providing technical advice on national health policies and programme planning.
Proposed TAG members
Sixteen (16) members were selected for the TAG, with a two-year term. The proposed members were identified based on evaluation of applications against criteria specified in the Terms of Reference, with consideration also given to attaining an adequate distribution of technical expertise, geographical representation and gender balance.
The proposed TAG members represent a diverse spectrum of expertise including, but not limited to, anthropology, behavioural economics, health psychology, sociology, and social psychology. The members are to serve in their personal capacities.
Public notice and comment
In order to enhance WHO’s management of Conflicts of Interest as well as strengthen public trust and transparency in connection with WHO meetings involving the provision of technical/normative advice, the names and brief biographies of individuals (“Published Information”) selected for membership of the TAG on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health are hereby disclosed for public notice and comment.
The Published Information is provided by the experts themselves and is the sole responsibility of the individuals concerned. WHO is not responsible for the accuracy, veracity and completeness of the Published Information provided. Furthermore, in no event will WHO be responsible or liable for damages in relation to the use of, and reliance upon, the Published Information.
The comments received by WHO through the public notice and comment process are treated confidentially and their receipt will be acknowledged through generic email notification to the sender. Comments and perceptions brought to the knowledge of WHO through this process are an integral component of WHO’s conflict of interest assessment policy and are carefully reviewed. WHO reserves the right to discuss information received through this process with the relevant expert with no attribution to the provider of such information. Upon review and assessment of the information received through this process, WHO, in its sole discretion, may take appropriate management action in accordance with its policies.
The participation of an expert in a WHO meeting does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization nor does it create a binding relationship between the expert and WHO.
The list of participating experts, a summary of relevant interests disclosed by such experts, and any appropriate mitigation measures taken by WHO relating to the management of conflicts of interests, will be reported publicly in accordance with WHO practice.
The deadline for public comments is Wednesday 8 January 2025. Please send your comments to behavioural.insights@who.int with the subject “Public comments on TAG for Behavioural Sciences for Better Health members.”