02 GLOBAL AWARENESS PATHWAY

Global Health Threats & Information

Learn how the world recognizes health threats, how public-health systems communicate, and how to navigate information responsibly.

Understand the difference between an outbreak, surge, epidemic, pandemic, PHEIC and pandemic emergency—without being asked to perform professional epidemiology.

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Young person viewing global health information and public-health data networks.

UNDERSTANDING HEALTH THREATS

01 · UNDERSTAND HEALTH EVENTS

How does the world recognize a health threat?

Public-health systems use surveillance, assessment, communication and coordinated response to understand changing health risks.

SURVEILLANCE Collect and watch health data for signals.

ASSESSMENT Understand what a signal may mean.

COMMUNICATION Share clear, timely and honest information.

COORDINATION Governments and partners work together.

RESPONSE Take appropriate public-health action.

HEALTH EVENT VOCABULARY

Different words describe different situations.

These are concepts to understand—not instructions for conducting professional outbreak investigations.

Outbreak

More cases of a disease than expected in a particular place or group.

Surge

A sudden increase in cases, demand or another health-related measure.

Epidemic

Cases occurring in a community or region above what is normally expected.

Pandemic

An epidemic that spreads across countries or continents and affects many people.

PHEIC

A Public Health Emergency of International Concern under the International Health Regulations.

Pandemic Emergency

A high-level global alert category introduced through the amended International Health Regulations for qualifying pandemic risks.

GLOBAL HEALTH GOVERNANCE

Who helps countries work together?

International cooperation complements national and local public-health responsibilities.

WHO + IHR

International Health Regulations

The International Health Regulations provide a global framework for countries to prevent, prepare for, detect, assess and respond to public-health risks that may cross borders.

The amended IHR entered into force in 2025 and introduced a new pandemic emergency alert level.

PANDEMIC AGREEMENT · 2025

Cooperation for future pandemics

The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2025 to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and improve equity.

Its implementation is part of an ongoing global process.

Important: WHO provides global coordination, technical guidance and information. Governments and their public-health authorities make and implement decisions within their own jurisdictions.

02 · DETECT, UNDERSTAND & COMMUNICATE

Information is part of the response.

During a health threat, people need information that is timely, understandable, honest about uncertainty and connected to the communities affected.

RCCE—risk communication and community engagement—is about communication with people, not simply communication at people.

Listening and two-way engagement help build trust, understand concerns and make public-health communication more useful.

GHE INFORMATION CHECK

Before you believe it—or share it—check:

SOURCE
Who produced it?

DATE
Is it current?

EVIDENCE
What supports the claim?

CONTEXT
What might be missing?

CORROBORATION
Do reliable independent sources agree?

PURPOSE
Inform, persuade, entertain, sell or provoke?

SHARE?
Could sharing it cause harm?

Trusted current sources: For current public-health information, verify with WHO and the appropriate government/public-health authority.

VACCINES + POINTS OF ENTRY

Prevention and preparedness are connected.

Vaccines and Points of Entry illustrate how individual, community, national and international systems can work together.

VACCINES

A powerful prevention tool

Vaccines train the immune system to recognize specific infections. Examples include vaccines against measles, polio, influenza, COVID-19, HPV, hepatitis B and yellow fever.

Different vaccines have different uses, schedules and levels of protection. Current recommendations should always come from trusted public-health authorities.

POINTS OF ENTRY · POEs

Where health security meets travel

Airports, seaports and ground crossings can help detect potential risks, provide health information to travellers, coordinate with public-health authorities and support measures appropriate to the situation.

POEs are part of a broader public-health system—not simply places to “stop sick people.”

POEs can be particularly important for certain internationally connected health risks and diseases.

KNOWLEDGE CHECK

MCQ Set 2 — Global Health Threats & Information

Test your understanding of health-event concepts, surveillance, trusted information, RCCE, vaccines, Points of Entry and global systems.

What is public-health surveillance?

Watching only social-media posts. The ongoing collection, analysis and interpretation of health information for public-health purposes. A way to diagnose every individual patient. A replacement for healthcare.

What is an outbreak?

Any disease anywhere in the world. More cases than expected in a particular place or group. A global treaty. A social-media rumour.

Which statement best describes a pandemic?

Any single case of an infectious disease. An epidemic that spreads across countries or continents. A local increase in hospital visits. A laboratory test.

What does PHEIC stand for?

Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Public Hospital Emergency Information Centre. Provincial Health Emergency Information Committee. Pandemic Health Education and Information Council.

What is the main purpose of the International Health Regulations?

To replace national governments. To provide an international framework for managing public-health risks that may cross borders. To control all healthcare systems worldwide. To provide individual medical treatment.

What was the significance of the WHO Pandemic Agreement adopted in 2025?

It created one global healthcare system. It strengthened international cooperation for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. It replaced every country's public-health authority. It eliminated infectious diseases.

What does RCCE emphasize?

Communication only from authorities to the public. Risk communication and meaningful engagement with communities. Avoiding questions from communities. Replacing evidence with opinions.

Which is the best first step when you see a surprising health claim online?

Share it immediately. Check the source, date and evidence. Assume it is true because many people shared it. Add a stronger headline.

Which is an example of corroboration?

Finding several accounts repeating the same rumour. Checking whether reliable independent sources support the claim. Reading only the headline. Looking only at comments.

Why are Points of Entry important?

They are the only place where public health happens. They can contribute to international health security through information, coordination and appropriate measures. They automatically stop every infectious disease. They replace surveillance systems.

Why are vaccines relevant to global health?

Vaccines can contribute to prevention and population protection against specific infections. All vaccines prevent every disease. Vaccines make surveillance unnecessary. Vaccines are identical for every disease and every person.

Which source should GHE learners use when checking current public-health decisions?

An anonymous social-media account. WHO and the appropriate government/public-health authority. A random online discussion. A celebrity post.

What is misinformation?

Information that is always deliberately false. False or inaccurate information that may be shared without an intention to deceive. Only information from governments. Scientific evidence.

What should you consider before sharing health information?

Whether it is dramatic enough. Whether sharing it could cause harm. Whether it has many emojis. Whether it is likely to become viral.

What is the central message of this page?

Health threats should be understood only by experts. Everyone can develop health literacy and participate responsibly while leaving professional response to appropriate authorities. Social media is always reliable. International cooperation is unnecessary.

NEXT IN THE PATHWAY

From Awareness to Action

What shall I know and do when a trusted public-health authority announces a health threat?

Continue →