15:15-16:30 – Session 3: Learning from approaches to community engagement and equity initiatives to foster trust in health systems

Session Info

Community engagement and equity initiatives are integral to public health efforts, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks. Dr. Shail’s talk showcased the collaborative efforts between the World Health Organization (WHO) and LGBTQ+ communities and leaders during the MPOX and COVID-19 outbreaks, highlighting strategies to foster trust in health systems and the importance of tailored approaches to engagement and equity. During the MPOX outbreak, WHO actively collaborated with LGBTQ+ community leaders and organizations to develop culturally sensitive messaging, inclusive healthcare services, and targeted outreach initiatives. By involving LGBTQ+ leaders in decision-making processes, WHO promoted community ownership and trust, enhancing the effectiveness of outbreak response efforts. Similarly, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO prioritized engagement with post-COVID [Long-COVID] condition communities to address intersecting health disparities and systemic inequities. Leveraging digital platforms, social media and virtual forums, WHO facilitated dialogue and exchange between health authorities and advocates, ensuring community engagement and equity endeavours to promote trust in health systems.

Dr. Mrigank Shail, World Health Organization

Dr. Mrigank Shail is an accomplished medical researcher, writer, and strategic content creator with a passion for global public health and strategic communications. Dr. Shail earned his Medical Doctorate (MD) with Honours from Xavier University School of Medicine. He has pursued Continued Medical Education courses at institutions such as Harvard University and the Yale Institute for Global Health. Dr. Shail has acquired valuable experience in a range of medical fields, including neurosurgery, addiction and mental health, strategic health communications, and medical content development. Currently, he serves as a Strategic Communications Consultant at the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Department of Communications headquartered in Geneva. Dr. Shail’s research interests focus on exploring data-driven strategies to develop effective social media communication campaigns, establish an expert online presence, and promote health messages to target audiences. As a teacher, he helps students navigate credible web and social media information, identify and combat misinformation and disinformation using various trends and metrics, and create and amplify customized digital content. Dr. Shail emphasizes the importance of data analysis, visualization, and social media metrics in achieving these goals and works towards equipping his students with the necessary tools to become reliable sources of credible information for their followers. Through collaboration with WHO teams, he promotes health messages and creates positive social impact.

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Stefanie Tan, IfP Postdoctoral Fellow

Panelists: