Infectious disease control requires more than just biomedical knowledge. Social science research also contributes to this. Through social science research RIVM monitors the behaviour, needs, suggestions, and experiences of residents and professionals.

Examples of topics on which RIVM conducts social science research are:

  • the reasons why people do or do not get vaccinated;
  • support for control measures;
  • resilience in the event of a future outbreak.

Thanks to the results of social science research:

  • guidelines are better aligned with practice;
  • communication (for example, about vaccination) can be better tailored to people's needs and questions;
  • RIVM can better advise on the interventions that are most effective in certain situations.

Knowledge network

RIVM maintains a network for knowledge on behavioural and social science processes and interventions. This allows us to apply this knowledge quickly in advice, policy and communication during an outbreak.

More information: Behavioural science | RIVM.