The power-trust cycle in global health: Trust as belonging in relations of dependency

Abstract Trust between actors is vital to delivering positive health outcomes, while relationships of power determine agendas, whose voices are heard and who benefits from global initiatives. However, the relationship trust has been neglected in literatures on both international politics health. We examine this through a study relations faith based organisations (FBO) donors Malawi Zambia, drawing 66 key informant interviews with central care. From these two cases we develop an understanding ‘trust as belonging’, which define exercise discretion accompanied by expression shared identities. belonging interacts what term ‘power-trust cycle’, various forms undergird trust, augments power. The power-trust cycle critical bearing affecting space within local jockey influence ideologies that underpin health, distribution crucial resources. illustrate how can work negative ways affect possible cooperation, significant implications for collective responses challenges.