World Health Organization

Topic A: Rebuilding Global Trust in Public Health Institutions in the Age of Misinformation

Topic B: Governing Cross-Border Health Data and Digital Surveillance in Pandemic Prevention

Topic A : Rebuilding Global Trust in Public Health Institutions in the Age of Misinformation

Public trust is essential to effective public health. When people trust healthcare professionals, scientists, and public health institutions, they are more likely to follow medical advice, receive vaccinations, and support measures that protect their communities. However, in recent years, the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation has made it increasingly difficult for people to distinguish credible scientific information from false or misleading claims.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how quickly misinformation can spread and how serious its consequences can be. False information about vaccines, treatments, and the virus itself contributed to vaccine hesitancy, confusion, and declining trust in governments and public health organizations. As social media and artificial intelligence continue to shape how people access information, rebuilding trust has become one of the greatest challenges facing global health.

In this topic, delegates will consider how the World Health Organization and its Member States can strengthen public trust while respecting freedom of expression, encouraging transparency, and improving access to accurate health information.

Topic B: Governing Cross-Border Health Data and Digital Surveillance in Pandemic Prevention

The ability to quickly detect and respond to disease outbreaks depends on the timely sharing of health information between countries. Advances in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and genomic sequencing have made it possible to identify potential outbreaks faster than ever before, allowing governments and international organizations to respond more effectively to emerging health threats. 

At the same time, sharing health data across borders raises important concerns about privacy, cybersecurity, national sovereignty, and equitable access to technology. Countries must balance the benefits of international cooperation with the responsibility to protect sensitive information and respect the rights of their citizens.

In this topic, delegates will explore how the World Health Organization can encourage responsible data sharing and strengthen global disease surveillance while ensuring that technological advances are used ethically, securely, and fairly.