Meeting report: Advancing social and behavioural reserach for a community-centred public health response to mpox
In November 2024, WHO, Africa CDC and EDCTP3 convened over 70 stakeholders in Kinshasa, DRC to explore how social and behavioural research (SBR) can strengthen community-centred responses to mpox. The meeting brought together government health officials, researchers, NGOs and civil society actors from across Africa to reflect on lessons learned and identify priority actions for embedding SBR into public health strategies. Discussions highlighted the importance of participatory approaches, trust-building, and understanding social dynamics in shaping effective outbreak responses.
The resulting report outlines a strategic roadmap for integrating behavioural insights into risk communication, stigma reduction, vaccine uptake, and community engagement. It includes recommendations for harmonising tools, building national research capacity, and fostering cross-sector partnerships. Whether you're a policymaker, practitioner or researcher, this resource offers practical guidance for centring communities in epidemic preparedness and response.