Table 4 Comparison of recent policy-level pandemic frameworks and their intersections with Social, Mental, Behavioral (SMB) Interventions.

From: Social, mental, and behavioral considerations in Mpox countermeasures: call for people-centric approaches for shared success

Feature

The Lancet Commission on Pandemic Preparedness (2022)

WHO Pandemic Agreement (2025)

The Lancet One Health Commission (2025)

Status of SMB Interventions

Explicitly covered and action-oriented

Covered in principle, lacks detail

Foundational, but broadly defined

Specific coverage

• Misinformation and disinformation

• Widespread social and behavioral failures

• Protection of vulnerable groups

• Human behavior is central to the response

• Equity and vulnerable populations

• ‘Whole-of-society’ approach

• Combatting misinformation

• Resilient health systems

• Interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health

• Multisectoral and transdisciplinary approach

• Social determinants of health (SDH)

Proposed actions

• ‘Vaccination-plus’ strategy (integrates socioeconomic support)

• Strengthen national health systems at the local level

• Build social protection systems and universal health coverage

• Focus on prosocial behavior and trust

• Strengthen national capacities and international cooperation

• Legally-binding framework for equitable access to biomedical tools

• Framework for pathogen access and benefit sharing (PABS)

• Integrate multiple sectors (e.g., agriculture, environment) into the health response

• Collaborative and interdisciplinary research and policymaking

Gap-filling required (with lessons from Mpox)

Implementation and Policy Integration: While providing a strong roadmap, its recommendations need to be translated into legally binding international frameworks and funded national policies, which the WHO Agreement currently lacks.

Actionable Roadmap and Funding: The plan needs to transition from general principles to a concrete, funded roadmap for real-time SMB interventions, including dedicated teams for mental health, combating stigma, and community engagement.

Specificity and Human-Centric Focus: The framework is excellent for big-picture issues but needs to be more specific on the immediate behavioral and mental health needs of individuals and communities facing an outbreak.

Back to article page