Wellcome backs new Commission to build trust in health services through novel alliance with faith communities
The Georgetown-Lancet Commission on Faith, Trust, and Health will work to connect faith leaders, public health practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and communities worldwide
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Wellcome is supporting the launch of the new Georgetown-Lancet Commission – an alliance between faith leaders and groups, researchers, policy makers and health practitioners that aims to strengthen public trust in health services and research.
The Commission will explore how these groups can better work together to earn public trust in health services at a time when that trust is being increasingly challenged by scepticism in institutions, misinformation, and the legacy of historical injustices and failures.
It warns that shifting perceptions of health and wellbeing are already contributing to falling vaccination rates and public resistance to evidence-based policies, leaving communities more vulnerable to disease outbreaks and worsening health inequalities.
Wellcome has awarded $750,500 USD to support the Georgetown-Lancet Commission.
Bringing two worlds together
John-Arne Røttingen, chief executive of Wellcome, said:
“Trust in science is critical for health. Researchers can uncover life-changing solutions – but they will only work if people trust them enough to use them.
“Faith leaders are often among the most trusted voices in their communities, so they can be crucial in this final step of turning scientific discoveries into real improvements to people’s health.
“Of course, trust must be earned. That means scientific and health institutions also need to demonstrate trustworthy practice and clear, transparent communication.”
In many parts of the world, especially in underserved areas, faith groups play a direct role in providing healthcare, shaping behaviours, and supporting wellbeing.
By bringing faith and science leaders together, the Commission hopes to strengthen trust in evidence-based health interventions from the ground up.
The Commission will work to build the evidence base and practical recommendations for building meaningful, long-term partnerships between health and faith actors.
Three key focus areas
The Georgetown-Lancet Commission, housed at the Georgetown University Global Health Institute, will concentrate on three core objectives:
- Set the agenda: Reframe and prioritise the intersection of faith, trust, and health by analysing evidence and promoting thought leadership.
- Shape policy and practice: Develop practical tools and strategies to build public trust in health among both health and faith communities.
- Strengthen collaboration: Build respectful, lasting partnerships between faith and health actors at all levels – local, national, and global.
The collaborative project will bring together 27 Commissioners from across all six WHO regions, bringing lived experience, regional knowledge, and deep networks to the table.
Among them is nanoscientist and Wellcome governor, Ijeoma Uchegbu, who said:
“The Commissioners are focused on a shift away from transactional top-down public health approaches towards collaborative, trust-based partnerships. Transparency, humility, and acknowledgment of uncertainty or failure are essential to earning trust.”
Building bridges
The Commission argues that faith actors have often been overlooked as equal partners in public health, or only engaged in moments of crisis.
At the same time, faith-health collaborations can face challenges. While many faith leaders and groups are engaged with science and passionate about improving health in the areas where they work, some may see health interventions as conflicting with their beliefs. This underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue, mutual learning, and co-produced solutions.
Next steps
The Lancet is expected to publish the Commission’s flagship report and related outputs following the peer review process. Beyond the report, the Commission aims to shape real-world policy and practice through briefings for governments and NGOs. It will also run regional and community-based launches and develop multilingual teaching toolkits for health and faith leaders in a variety of languages.
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