---
id: "coronavirus-smarter-crowdsourcing:behavioral-science"
type: "GovLab topic page"
title: "Behavioral Science and COVID"
url: "https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/behavioral-science"
summary: "How can governments use behavioral science to support the fight against COVID-19?"
source: "The GovLab (coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org)"
licence: "Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)"
---

# Behavioral Science and COVID

How can governments use behavioral science to support the fight against COVID-19?

[RECOMMENDATIONS MEMO](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DzmSxBT6rqoewafUMNmdEHmjYREZ0bLnqr4JCIP1ZgE/edit?usp=sharing) [CONFERENCE TAKEAWAYS](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vusJVfOjlWdw04VuPJ66yzhc9-slrXAXSJ_Do_YbrgE/edit?usp=sharing)

## DESCRIPTION

Successfully addressing COVID-19 pandemic requires individuals, communities, government officials, and public- and private-sector leaders to overcome and address cognitive, cultural, behavioral, and psychological barriers that are impacting or have the potential to negatively impact a coordinated response. Insights from the social and behavioral sciences provide an arsenal of tools that will help orient individual and group actions to better follow and adhere to the guidance of public health experts. There are many opportunities informed by research and evidence, including innovative approaches and new communications media, that will help improve how governments communicate with the public so as to create greater incentives for that behavior change needed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 and to help allow for a safe and sustained reopening of societies and economies.

[READ THE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tWevzRVhcJjbidPHktAvXNWnZFXnCpB2O-2_2EK1apE/edit?usp=sharing) [READ THE REGIONAL REPORT](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mcZx4VjYLrFdKmO9jvCKIEGpIKNtZQHYDyhVtXpZCKk/edit) [AGENDA AND LOGISTICS](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I3Ef_eH3dydwLkrx9DwP7GoIdkxp8UK6Tp6A2WqrpoA/edit?usp=sharing) [EXPERTS AND PARTICIPANTS](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sqm24sXM5StmQswS4Qac3_K6KQU2fjtCVyiaJ-yKMdU/edit?usp=sharing)

## RECOMMENDATION

[

Evidence and misinformation

Combat misinformation through evidence-based, clear, and consistent messaging.

](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations/evidence-and-misinformation)

[

Community and stakeholder engagement

Engage communities and other stakeholders to make messaging strategies context specific and culturally relevant.

](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations/community-and-stakeholder-engagement)

[

Data and innovation

Use data and innovations like crowdsourcing to optimize messaging development, reach, and uptake.

](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations/data-and-innovation)

[EXPLORE THE RECOMMENDATIONS](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations)