How can communities invest in frontline health workers and services to improve their access to effective and affordable care?

Challenge Overview

At least half of the world’s population does not have regular access to essential health services. From the Za’atari refugee camp, to rural Liberia, or the slums of Bogotá, too many mothers go without any prenatal or childbirth care, and infants without vaccinations or basic medication. In many places, the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic or mental health conditions can be nonexistent.

While dramatic progress has been made, including the reduction of infant mortality rates worldwide, more than 50 million people a year still die of preventable and treatable conditions. Rural populations are often hours or days away from the nearest medical center, nurse, or physician. Even in communities with some access to primary care, many people cannot afford even the most essential health services. Across the globe, a health shock—wherein a family member falls sick and requires extensive care—has the potential to push millions back into poverty and debt.

To address these issues, workers on the frontlines have expanded care from inside clinics and hospitals into the communities that they serve. Frontline health workers include doctors and nurses as well as pharmacists, midwives, community workers, and volunteers. They provide services for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment where alternatives either do not exist or are inaccessible due to cost, distance, or stigma.

The Solve community aims to find and advance innovative solutions that support and invest in frontline health workers and health services. Solve seeks solutions that make healthcare more available, affordable, and effective for marginalized communities and welcomes solutions from innovators around the world that:

• Expand the availability of affordable, effective community health services and treatments, and the use of data—especially through digital technologies

• Accelerate the training, recruitment, and decision supports for frontline health workers

• Enhance referrals and coordination of care between frontline health workers and higher levels of care—irrespective of geography

• Strengthen the procurement or local production of medication, diagnostic tools, and medical supplies

Challenge Chairs

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Solver Funding, Prize, and Partnership Eligibility for the Frontlines of Health Challenge

Solver Funding

All solutions selected in Solve’s four current Global Challenges will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve. Solver teams will be selected by a panel of cross-sector judges at Solve Challenge Finals during UN General Assembly week in New York City on September 23, 2018. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2018.

In addition to Solve funding, Solver teams who also fulfill the criteria below are eligible for the following prizes and partnerships. You do not need to meet these requirements to apply to the Frontlines of Health Challenge:

Artificial Intelligence for the Betterment of Humanity Prize

Solutions that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the human condition are eligible for this prize. This prize is made possible by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and our global community through information technology. Up to four recipients of the Artificial Intelligence for the Betterment of Humanity Prize will receive an initial grant of $25,000 each when selected during Solve Challenge Finals in September. One of these Solver teams will then be eligible for an additional grant of $100,000 to be announced at Solve at MIT in May 2019. Eligible Solver teams may be selected from any of Solve's four current Global Challenges.

UN Women She Innovates Prize for Gender-Responsive Innovation 

Solutions that are women-led or use innovation to advance the needs of women and girls are eligible for this prize. This prize is founded by UN Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change. The grant is made possible by Citi, with additional support from SAP Next-Gen. One Solver team will be the recipient of the UN Women She Innovates Prize for Gender-Responsive Innovation, and will receive a grant of $30,000 when selected during Solve Challenge Finals in September. Eligible Solver teams may be selected from any of Solve's four current Global Challenges.

Blockchain for Social Impact Prize

Solutions that make use of the Ethereum blockchain are eligible to be selected as one of four ConsenSys Blockchain for Social Impact Coalition (BSIC) Fellows. BSIC is a global network supporting social and environmental impact through blockchain-based innovation. Each Fellow will receive $5,000, a two-month minimum residency at a global ConsenSys location, and the opportunity to participate in a bootcamp in Santa Monica, CA. Successful residency can lead to additional funding or investment from ConsenSys Ventures or other members of the coalition. Applicants must include a link to a published white paper in their application by July 20, 2018. Eligible Solver teams may be selected from any of Solve's four current Global Challenges.

Save the Children Prize for Breakthrough Innovations for Children

Solutions that benefit children or youth in countries where Save the Children works are eligible for the Save the Children Prize for Breakthrough Innovations for Children. Up to four Solver teams will receive a grant of $25,000 per solution and access to in-country Save the Children resources. This prize is made possible by Save the Children, which believes every child deserves a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm.