6.5 INFORMATION INTEGRITY
quickly than traditional systems, filling critical information gaps early in the outbreak. CREDIBILITY IS KEY These examples demonstrate how non-state actors bring speed, agility and technological innovation. But challenges remain: open-source signals are not always accurate and misinformation can cause confusion or panic. Ultimately, confirming and assessing public health events requires the presence of professionals. Remote analysis, however advanced, cannot replace on-the-ground verification and response. This is where the WHO’s role as the authoritative source of verified global information remains essential. With its global mandate and convening power, it is uniquely positioned to validate signals, declare Public Health Emergencies of International Concern and coordinate cross-border responses. Its credibility provides the assurance needed to turn early warnings into effective,
OLIVER MORGAN Oliver Morgan is head of the World Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin, driving global efforts to improve detection of health threats through better data, analytics and decision making. He launched the Hub in 2021 and leads initiatives
in public health intelligence, advanced analytics and genomic surveillance. Previously, he directed the WHO’s Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Department, where he led global surveillance, including for Covid-19. He also held leadership roles at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and worked with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service and humanitarian organisations. pandemichub.who.int
RITHIKA SANGAMESHWARAN Rithika Sangameshwaran is a consultant at CPC Analytics who specialises in global health policy, public health intelligence and health systems. She currently supports the World Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and
Epidemic Intelligence, contributing to technical projects on analytics and decision making. A former German Chancellor Fellow, she has worked with the WHO, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development on global health governance and financing. Previously, she worked at the intersection of epidemiology and policy across India, fostering stronger links between national health priorities and global health strategies. cpc-analytics.com
evidence-based action. Notably, the WHO has already begun adapting to this evolving surveillance ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the WHO Hub’s Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources, it incorporates media reports, social platforms and expert input into its early warning workflows. Nearly 47% of acute public health events in Africa were detected through EIOS before official country notifications, underscoring the growing value of these complementary channels. The future of outbreak detection and response does not lie in a single alarm bell, but in a networked, collaborative ecosystem. As global connectivity accelerates disease spread, embracing a new public health intelligence ecosystem where actors with complementary strengths work together is increasingly essential for effective preparedness and response. The WHO’s authority and ability to convene international cooperation are irreplaceable, but its impact is amplified by partnerships with non-state actors that bring innovation, speed and openness. In a world defined by fragmentation and uncertainty, no one actor can do it all. Strengthening collaboration, forging partnerships, and investing in technology and talent remain our best bet to protect people everywhere from the next major health threat. ▪
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Health: A Political Choice – The Future of Health in a Fractured World
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