About Us
We are a project-based organization that identifies and develops innovative, market-driven solutions to promote global health and wellness.
About 1.3 billion people around the world earn less than $1.25 per day and live in what is considered extreme poverty. Without sustainable livelihoods and sufficient income, they have little or no access to basic necessities such as clean water, nutrition, shelter, and hygiene, let alone healthcare. This health-wealth disparity is best represented by an economic pyramid in which the wealthy are at the top and enjoy the benefits of proper and adequate nutrition and healthcare. At the bottom of the pyramid are billions of sick, hungry and poor, trapped in a pernicious cycle of poverty and disease that robs them of their health, wellness and prosperity.
Within this grim reality, however, lies great opportunity. When taken together, those at the bottom of the pyramid actually represent the world’s third largest economy. As Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of the Acumen Fund, once said, just like the rich, “the poor are also willing to make, and will make, smart decisions, if you give them that opportunity.” Imagine the possibilities when people in the developing world are given the opportunity to improve their livelihoods and make decisions as consumers to improve their own health and wellness. Global HealthShare is about creating opportunities for those who previously have been given no choices.
Global HealthShare Initiative was founded in 2010 by Drs. Raymond Rodriguez and Somen Nandi, whose vision it was to make affordable and accessible health a new reality. Our initiative was created to address the need for a global network of change makers willing to work together to accelerate the translation of health solutions for the world’s poorest market. Our members, who include academics, healthcare professionals, business leaders, and social entrepreneurs, believe in the power of sharing –sharing knowledge, technology, resources, materials, intellectual property, and infrastructure – to develop and deliver our health solutions.
The idea of “HealthShare” has been a contagious one — since our inception, we have grown to a global network of over 40 world-class members from more than 30 institutions from eight countries worldwide. Our network integrates the talents and expertise of both public and private sector partners capable of producing affordable health solutions that are safe, effective, scalable and sustainable. In developing the Global HealthShare model, our members stress the importance of culturally appropriate, technologically relevant and sustainable health for women, children and the poor around the world. But in the final analysis, it’s all about sustainability.
Committed to Sustainability
Financial Sustainability
Our projects are designed to cover costs and generate a modest profit when possible.
Local Sustainability
Rather than producing health solutions ourselves, we will empower local social entrepreneurs to set up viable, in-county enterprises with the ability to produce health solutions that can pave the way for independence and regional economic growth.
Sustainable Knowledge
The generation and dissemination of accessible knowledge on how to improve health in resource-limited regions of the world is one of our core competencies. We believe in “training the trainer,” and will empower the next generation of trainers with the knowledge to sustain health and wellness in their communities.