Christian Science Monitor: Why global health emergencies first need a dose of trust
Editorial Board

“…While [the DRC Ebola outbreak] appears contained, the [WHO’s declaration of an international public health emergency] was a reminder that medical interventions alone cannot deal with such outbreaks. The missing piece, according to a new report, is trust between communities in crisis and the institutions that serve them. … One of the recommendations is that countries improve their capacity for community involvement well before a crisis hits in order to alleviate fear and trauma. … In many health crises, the first task is often to dampen fear in order to build up social trust. … It is a lesson worth recalling as the world learns to better prepare for health emergencies” (9/18).