10 Data relating to patients and participants in research studies are confidential and should not be revealed by WHO staff members. If reference is made to a specific medical case or condition in a publication to be issued by the Organization, care must be taken to ensure that neither the names of the individuals concerned nor any other information that could lead to their identification are given.
20 Photographs or video footage of individual patients or participants in research studies may be used by WHO only if written consent has been obtained from the individuals portrayed or their parents or guardians (see section VIII.2.10). In the case of patients, it should be borne in mind that they may be under unusual stress at the time of illness and that their permission may be questioned later. Any image showing signs of illness on a human body should not show the face unless that is the site of the illness.
30 Many Member States have their own national legislation regarding confidentiality of data relating to patients and participants in research studies. The terms of this legislation may affect the nature of data supplied to WHO, and what WHO may do with those data.
