TY - JOUR T1 - Learning From the Past: The Role of Social and Behavior Change Programming in Public Health Emergencies JF - Global Health: Science and Practice JO - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT DO - 10.9745/GHSP-D-22-00026 VL - 10 IS - 4 SP - e2200026 AU - Martha Silva AU - Paula Tallman AU - Jeni Stolow AU - Rachel Yavinsky AU - Julia Fleckman AU - Kamden Hoffmann Y1 - 2022/08/30 UR - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/10/4/e2200026.abstract N2 - Key MessagesThe prevalence of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) is rising at an unprecedented rate, and influencing human behavior is often the first line of defense to slow disease transmissions.We synthesize the contributions that social and behavior change research and programming has made in 6 recent EIDs that reached epidemic proportions: HIV, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome, Zika virus, Ebola virus disease, and coronavirus disease.Analysis of successful and unsuccessful responses to EID outbreaks suggests 5 primary lessons learned that can be used by SBC experts in future EID responses: engage communities, build trust through transparent risk communication, segment audiences for tailored interventions, prioritize behaviors, and cultivate political will and commitment.Incorporating SBC experts into EID responses can reduce mortality and improve efficiency in such precarious and time-sensitive settings.The prevalence of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) is rising at an unprecedented rate as a result of globalization, deforestation, economic growth, increased human mobility, urbanization, and fragile health systems.1–5 When new diseases emerge, medical and public health practitioners quickly begin to evaluate strategies to mitigate disease transmission and to use clinical interventions that can prevent or treat the emerging disease.6 However, behavioral responses—and the systems and structures that shape behavior—are often the first line of defense. As Dr. Deborah Birx stated during a press briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response in March 2021, “there’s no magic bullet … it’s just behaviors.”7Social and behavior change (SBC) refers to activities or interventions that examine and facilitate behavior change and the social and environmental factors that drive them.8 This includes behaviors leading to the prevention of disease transmission and those related to the promotion of health and well-being, as well as actions addressing structural and institutional environments. SBC contributions to EID preparedness, response, and … ER -