Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) has launched a $1.8 million initiative to advance health equity by addressing the social determinants of health (SDoH) in Brazil, India, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. This initiative represents a crucial component of the company’s larger commitment to invest $150 million in health equity by 2025, illustrating a significant step towards bridging healthcare disparities globally.
The WHO defines social determinants of health as non-medical factors influencing health outcomes in various areas, including income, education, physical environment, and healthcare services. Acknowledging these factors’ profound impact on health outcomes, Bristol Myers Squibb’s new health equity grants aim to tackle the root causes of healthcare inequities.
Cari Gallman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb, emphasized the challenge that access to healthcare poses for many patients worldwide. She highlighted the company’s dedication to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of geographical location, can access high-quality healthcare services. This is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3, focusing on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for populations across all age groups.
The grants will support efforts by eight organizations working within underserved communities to address health inequities, particularly among individuals living with cancer and blood disorders. These organizations were selected for their potential to create sustainable, community-level impacts. The outcomes from this pilot program will inform potential future expansions to other regions and communities, aiming at dismantling systemic barriers to healthcare and improving access and health outcomes.
This initiative by Bristol Myers Squibb underscores the company’s broader strategy towards health equity, which involves moving beyond traditional healthcare parameters. It underscores the importance of engaging community voices and forming cross-sector partnerships to co-create solutions that achieve meaningful and equitable health outcomes across the globe.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
