 The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of our healthcare systems and the importance of having a robust, distributed health system in place. Additionally, the lack of clarity in communication between different stakeholders has led to confusion and uncertainty, which has further exacerbated the situation. To address this, we must focus on building trust by creating transparency and understanding the interconnectedness of various factors. Systems thinking and complexity science can help us understand how all these factors are connected and how they interact with each other. This will allow us to design more effective and efficient health systems that can better respond to the current crisis and prepare for future crises. This article was authored by Joaquin P. Sturmburg, Peter Tsaisis, and Laura Homic.