Countries in the Region are advancing Risk Communication and Community Engagement through the AMoMo network

San Salvador, El Salvador, October 29, 2025 (PAHO/WHO) - As part of the International Technical Training Meeting on Tools for Surveillance and Monitoring of All-Cause Mortality of the AMoMo Network, a side event dedicated to Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) was held with the participation of communication representatives from the Ministries of Health of Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay.

During the session, participants reflected on the essential role of risk communication and community engagement in health emergency preparedness and response. They underscored the importance of regional coordination among communication teams of the Ministries of Health to share experiences, identify challenges, and strengthen national capacities.

The meeting also highlighted the inclusion of RCCE in PAHO's new Strategic Plan 2026-2031, approved by the 62nd Directing Council of Member States on September 29, 2025, reaffirming its key role in advancing towards more resilient, equitable, and people-centered health systems.

In addition, during the meeting, a practical communication exercise was conducted in which participants, including epidemiologists, national statisticians, and communicators, worked together to develop key messages for different audiences, putting into practice the interdisciplinary coordination that is essential to strengthening emergency response.

Public health emergencies not only test the technical capacity of health systems but also their ability to communicate clear, timely, and evidence-based information. In these scenarios, risk communication and community engagement are essential to guide the population, counter misinformation, and strengthen trust in health authorities.