Marta Marques and Cristina Godinho, faculty members at the NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) and researchers at the CHRC – Comprehensive Health Research Centre, have been appointed, by order of the Director-General of Health, Rita Sá Machado, to join the Working Group on Behavioural Sciences, Health Communication and Community Engagement (GT-3C).
The GT-3C, established by Order No. 086/2025 of 2 October, is a technical and multidisciplinary advisory group that will support the Directorate-General of Health (DGS) in the analysis, development and evaluation of strategies for behavioural change and public health communication, both in crisis contexts and routine activities. The group brings together experts from several academic institutions, public administration and civil society organisations.
This working group focuses on crucial areas such as Strategic Public Health Communication, Behavioural Sciences, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management. Its mission includes supporting the DGS in integrating scientific evidence and interdisciplinary methodologies into communication and engagement strategies with the population, contributing to a more informed, participatory and effective response to public health challenges.
Its main functions include planning and evaluating behaviour change strategies, promoting active community engagement, analysing health literacy and risk perception, supporting the development of evidence-based messages and communication materials, and managing infodemics and combating health misinformation.
“The creation of this group represents a fundamental step in strengthening public health response capacity, integrating the knowledge we already have in behavioural sciences and health communication to promote healthier behaviours and greater trust in institutions”, emphasises Marta Marques.
“This is an excellent opportunity to translate scientific evidence into concrete strategies that involve people and communities, through a co-creation approach and participation in public health decision-making”, adds Cristina Godinho.
With an initial two-year mandate, the GT-3C will present recommendations and technical opinions to the Director-General of Health, contributing to the planning and implementation of evidence-based policies aligned with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
This appointment reinforces the role of NOVA NSPH and the CHRC in producing scientific knowledge applied to public policy, consolidating the School’s commitment to education, research and action in support of public health in Portugal and internationally.
Find out more about NOVA NSPH’s training offer in this area, including the NextGen EducaTion short courses in Health Communication, Behaviour Change Interventions and Implementation Science: What is in it for me?: https://www.ensp.unl.pt/curso/nextgen-education-by-ensp-nova/
Learn more about the Centre for Behavioural Science Knowledge (BE-Change) at NOVA NSPH: https://www.ensp.unl.pt/knowledge-centers/be-change/
