3 Community-Led Programs Showing Us What’s Working in Global Health

As the world continues to face ever-evolving crises – from climate change to conflict and growing inequity – building resilient and inclusive healthcare systems requires putting communities at the center.

Research shows that trust ranks among the top determinants of good health behavior and improved health outcomes. It is paramount for fostering open communication between a patient and healthcare provider, improving adherence to medical treatment and strengthening public health.

At Pfizer and The Pfizer Foundation*, we support organizations that are partnering directly with communities to help drive trust in the health system and create more sustainable healthcare solutions. While there is a lot that needs to be reformed in the global health sector, I’d like to focus on three initiatives that are helping build trust and exemplify what is working in global health ??.

1.???? Global Health Innovation Grants (GHIG)

Investing in and fostering innovative, locally driven solutions is critical to accelerating global health progress. Through The Pfizer Foundation’s GHIG program – an initiative that for nearly a decade has supported community-based programs that aim to improve quality of care and strengthen health systems in lower-income countries – our partners are developing and implementing programs that meet local needs.

As an example, mobile workers in Africa such as truck drivers and sex workers often face discrimination that prevents them from seeking healthcare. @North Star Alliance, a long-time GHIG participant, has grown a network of “Blue Box Clinics” – made from recycled shipping containers painted bright blue – to provide confidential, stigma-free care to mobile workers and their networks.

North Star Alliance is one of the many GHIG organizations making an impact with approaches tailored to community needs. Since 2016, our GHIG partners have collectively helped improve access to quality health services for more than 6 million people living in lower-income countries around the world.

Watch this video to learn more about the GHIG program.

2.???? Partners In Health

Millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, yet many living in lower-income countries face barriers to timely breast cancer care and screening. As trusted members of the community, health workers can use their connections and reliability to make healthcare information more accessible.

With support from Pfizer and The Pfizer Foundation, Partners In Health is helping train community health workers in overall breast health and early symptoms of breast cancer so they have the tools and resources to raise awareness, educate and connect women with the best treatment at the right time to improve outcomes. Check out my colleague Sally Susman’s article about the program to learn more.

3.?????? Amref

Misinformation, lack of trust in health officials and inadequate health information are all barriers that prevent people from getting vaccines. To help address these barriers, people need access to transparent and culturally specific vaccination education from people they trust.

With funding from The Pfizer Foundation, Amref Health Africa – the largest non-profit health and development organization on the continent – is working with national ministries of health, local leaders and health service providers to build trust within communities and bring vaccines closer to those who need them.

Learn more about The Pfizer Foundation’s partnership with Amref Health Africa here.

As a science-based company, Pfizer has a 175-year legacy of discovering, developing and delivering medical breakthroughs to people around the world. But strong and resilient health systems are essential to improving health in any country and require so much more than medicines and vaccines.

Pfizer and The Pfizer Foundation take the same rigorous approach we apply to product development toward identifying and investing in evidence-backed interventions that can help create lasting change. Through supporting a network of innovative partners with deep ties to the communities in which they serve, we’re working together to help ensure better health is possible for everyone, everywhere.

Whether we seek to meet medically underserved populations where they are or introduce new vaccines and treatments, community leaders are the cornerstone to building trust in the healthcare system and advancing global health equity. I hope you’ll follow along here to learn more from these incredible partners about what is working in global health. You can also read more about them at Pfizer.com/PfizerFoundation.

*The Pfizer Foundation is a charitable organization established by Pfizer Inc. It is a separate legal entity from Pfizer Inc. with distinct legal restrictions.