WHO launches toolkit to strengthen information environment assessments in health emergencies

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published Conducting information environment assessments for health emergencies: an implementation toolkit, a new resource designed to help countries better understand how people seek, access, share and act on health information before and during health emergencies.

The toolkit provides a practical framework for conducting information environment assessments (IEAs), enabling health authorities and partners to identify factors that influence information exchange, trust, access and community engagement. It also includes a rapid assessment approach that can be used during emergency responses to help guide risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management activities.

Developed through an expert-led co-design process, the toolkit was informed by pilot implementations in Sri Lanka and Thailand and further refined through field testing in the Philippines, made possible through financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The publication introduces a framework covering four key areas of the information environment: people and communities, information sources, actors, and policy processes and enablers. By helping countries identify information vulnerabilities and opportunities, the toolkit supports evidence-based planning, preparedness and response efforts. It also advances WHO's broader community protection agenda by helping countries identify barriers to trusted health information and strengthen community-centred approaches to health emergency management. By improving understanding of the information environment before crises occur, the toolkit can help strengthen preparedness and support more effective emergency response.

The toolkit is intended for national and local health authorities, WHO staff and partners working in health emergency management, risk communication, infodemic management and community engagement.

Access the publication: Here