Health literacy is essential for containing and solving global health crises such as COVID-19. By contrast, scientifically unconfirmed and false data can be shared quickly, fomenting fear and collective resistance to existing and potential medical solutions. To counter the rising anti-science rhetoric and the lack of compliance with public health measures, we propose a Global Health Literacy Alliance that will bolster collective capacity to access and process scientific information. The ambition is to shift public knowledge and perception of health from Life Sciences, often cryptic and technical, into a broader, open, understandable and participative “Sciences for Life” culture.This brief discusses the potential of this initiative to ensure better informed pandemic (and further health crises) responses, promote equal access
to healthcare services, strengthen societal resilience and boost sustainable growth and well-being.