This research article posits that building trust and facilitating multi-sector collaborations by using open and honest communication and actively engaging stakeholders is essential for dealing with public health crises.

By learning from, and improving upon, risk communication practices from previous pandemics, leaders can lessen adverse social impacts. Improving outcomes during the emergency management of public health crises relies on trust. This trust can be improved if stakeholders collaborate and share knowledge in a timely manner and provide useful information available when needed. Specifically, results from in-depth interviews with key informants and government and medical experts along with analysis of peer-reviewed literature indicate 8 key risk communication principles:

• Develop trust
• Be transparent
• Make announcements early
• Listen well
• Plan well
• Be honest and open
• Be empathetic and caring
• Accept and involve the public as a partner