Miguel Arriaga

Miguel Arriaga, Ph.D. in Psychology, serves as Director of the Department for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at Portugal's Directorate-General of Health (DGS) while lecturing at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Beira Interior, and the Catholic University of Portugal. He coordinates the DGS Action Plan for Health Literacy (2023-2030) and represents Portugal on the OECD Expert Group on the Economics of Public Health since 2016.

His research expertise spans:

• Health literacy frameworks for public health
• Behavioral science applications in pandemic response
• Non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention strategies
• Health policy economics through OECD collaboration

As national focal point for the WHO Europe Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit, he integrates psychological research into health promotion systems.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Public Health Award Dr. Francisco George (2018) from the Portuguese Ministry of Health

Through WHO and OECD engagements, Arriaga secures international funding for health literacy initiatives and behavioral science research. His leadership in Portugal's COVID-19 Task Forces demonstrates applied translational research, while his DGS Action Plan for Health Literacy (2023-2030) drives evidence-based national health promotion strategies. Current roles in the ANEPC COVID-19 Subcommittee and national health councils position him at the intersection of academic research and public health policy implementation.