Evidence Commission report highlights the path forward for relying on evidence

‘Slow burn’ societal challenges like educational achievement, health-system performance and climate change have taken a backseat to the global pandemic, now entering its third year. But a report recently released by the Evidence Commission finds that decision-makers responding to present-day societal challenges and tomorrow’s crises have an unprecedented opportunity to build on what has worked in using evidence before and during the pandemic.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve never before seen so much interest – from political leaders of many political persuasions and in diverse countries – in drawing on evidence to inform their response,” said John Lavis, Director of the McMaster Health Forum and co-lead of the secretariat for The Global Commission on Evidence to Address Societal Challenges. “This is an incredible opportunity to dramatically up our game in supporting political leaders to use evidence to address societal challenges at a global, national and local level.”

The report’s 24 recommendations call for decisive action by multiple stakeholders to ensure evidence is consistently used to address societal challenges. To learn more:

>> Read the full report or the executive summary
>> Watch a recording from the launch webinar, or from the launch webinar for advanced time zones

The Evidence Commission report: A wake-up call and path forward for decision-makers, evidence intermediaries, and impact-oriented evidence producers will be available in seven languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

The report chapters as well as individual infographics (or sections) will also be available. We encourage you to use the infographics and other content freely (with credit), and you may adapt it (with permission).