What is social and behaviour change?

Social and behaviour change is a scientific approach to human behaviour. It involves understanding why people do what they do, and helping them choose better habits and behaviours so they can live healthier lives.

Promoting healthy, inclusive behaviour is vital to Sightsavers’ work. Some behaviours, such as hand washing with soap or using accessible eye health services, can make people less vulnerable to disease and blindness. Other behaviours, such as those driven by stigma, stereotyping and discriminatory attitudes, may mean people with disabilities are denied their rights in society.

Our SBC work promotes behaviours that prevent disease, protect eye health and enable people with disabilities – particularly girls and women – to access health and education, go to work, make decisions and take part fully in society.

Sightsavers’ work is supported by dedicated staff specialising in SBC and accessible design, who help to develop bespoke tools using innovative design thinking.