Should Eminence Outweigh Evidence? The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board's Report on Pandemic Preparedness

Abstract

The Global Pandemic Monitoring Board (GPMB) is a group of eminent individuals publishing reports calling for increased emphasis on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPPR). They advocate for the World Health Organization's (WHO) PPPR preferred approach and its attendant financial requests. Though claiming independence, GPMB is co-convened by WHO and the World Bank. The GPMB report of January 2025 displays a selective approach in which drivers of increased outbreak risk are emphasized while drivers mitigating risk are ignored. The impression, reinforced by the GPMB's conclusions, is of an inexorable increase in pandemic risk. In ignoring the balance between various epidemiological and behavioral drivers, the predictions promoted through the report are divorced from real-world expectation. Claims that “Individualism” is a major driver of risk, and misinformation an important promoter of harm, are backed by a weak evidence base. This raises important concerns regarding human rights and the arbitration of correct and incorrect information by specific institutions. The use of eminent committees such as GPMB to advocate to governments and media risks undermining the role of evidence in public health policymaking. WHO should consider requiring a structured approach emphasizing costs and benefits, leaving advocacy to Member States in their own context.