7.A. Skills building seminar: Is Behavioural Science Relevant for Public Health? A Quintuple Helix Lens
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA, WHO/Europe,   Chair persons: Iveta Nagyova (EUPHA), Susan Michie (UK)
Published: October 2024

Background

On 29 May 2023, the World Health Assembly adopted the first-ever global Behavioural Sciences for Better Health resolution (WHA76.7). This resolution requests the World Health Organization (WHO) to mainstream and support behavioural sciences in public health across the WHO and within Member States; including enhancing awareness, knowledge, and evidence and providing technical assistance, normative guidance, and capacity-building. But is behavioural science really relevant for public health? Why and how it can help us to improve people’s health?

Rationale

This workshop seeks to delve into the application of behavioural science in public health within the context of the quintuple helix framework - academia, industry, government, civil society, and the broader environment. Through collaborating across sectors, stakeholders can leverage behavioural science to design more effective strategies for promoting positive health behaviour change, preventing diseases, and addressing public health challenges. This workshop will feature discussions and case studies in various public health domains.

Aim

The main aim of this skills-building seminar is to explore the synergies between behavioural science and the quintuple helix, examining how these collaborations can drive innovation, enhance policy implementation, and foster sustainable health outcomes. By critically examining these intersections, we seek to stimulate dialogue, foster collaborations, and inspire innovative approaches for addressing complex health challenges in our society.

Workshop structure

This workshop will consist of three parts:

- It will start with a short scene-setting presentation by Iveta Nagyova, EUPHA president, highlighting the innovation potential of behavioural science to improve people’s health (10 mins).

- In the second part (30 mins), the panellists will discuss concrete examples of interconnections of behavioural science and public health within the quintuple helix framework. 1. Susan Michie will share her experience of interconnections between academia and government as a member of the UK SAGE - Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. 2. Simon Bacon will discuss the behavioural lens applied to the commercial determinant of health. 3. Tiina Likki will share WHO/Europe’s experience with developing and implementing the European regional action framework for behavioural and cultural insights for health, 2022-2027, 4. Kim Lavoie will speak about community involvement and social innovation within the context of more efficient healthcare systems. 5. Stefano Capalongo will show us examples of salutogenic design and architecture, applying neurobiobehavioural mechanisms.

- The third part (20 mins) will be dedicated to a facilitated discussion with the audience to explore attendees’ opinions regarding the challenges and opportunities of applying behavioural sciences to improve people’s health and well-being, using the quintuple helix framework.

Key messages

• Integrating behavioural science within the quintuple helix framework cultivates partnerships advancing effective, inclusive and lasting public health initiatives.

• Fostering cross-sector collaboration establishes an ecosystem driving innovative, equitable and sustainable solutions in public health.

Speakers/Panelists

Susan Michie

University College London, London, UK

Simon Bacon

Concordia University, Montréal, Canada

Kim Lavoie

UQAM, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Canada

Tiina Likki

WHO/Europe, Hellerup, Denmark

Stefano Capolongo

Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy