Point-of-Care Community Health Hub

Indigenous communities, often inhabiting remote and rural areas, are underserved by the Canadian public healthcare system and its resources. The lack of access to several health services has led to dire consequences that need to be addressed and corrected.

There are several challenges that are correlated and need urgent attention.

1. The Canadian Public Health system is overloaded.

2. Indigenous people outside urban centers encounter greater difficulties accessing essential medical services, including specialized care from doctors, nurses, and mental health advisors, consistent treatment and laboratory testing, regular check-ups, and preventive care among other critical services.

3. Many patients want a quick and efficient process to get the necessary tests done without any delays and are conducted closer to their homes.

4. In Indigenous communities, it takes a long time to see a doctor, which can range from several weeks to even months, and the complicated procedures involved often discourage people from visiting clinics. This not only increases the risk of infecting others but also worsens their own condition.

5. Indigenous people in Canada have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-Indigenous Canadians,  for several reasons including Canada’s historic and continued colonial policies, lack of access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food, and a strong genetic risk for type 2 diabetes. 

Like the U.S., many Indigenous communities in Canada lack access to critical healthcare services, including mental health services, counseling, and care for children with special needs. They also have limited exposure to health education on topics such as healthy diets, fitness, mental health, and the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and smoking. 

Studies have shown that Indigenous populations in Canada have elevated health risks and higher premature mortality rates. The life expectancy of Indigenous peoples is on average 9.3 years shorter than non-Indigenous Canadians. In the U.S., the life expectancy of American Indians and Alaska Natives is 5.5 years shorter. Diabetes affects more than three times the number of Indigenous people versus non-Indigenous in both Canada and the U.S., and tuberculosis is still a major public health problem  when the incidence of the disease has declined in most parts of both countries. Indigenous people are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of disease than non-Indigenous people, thus contributing to poorer health outcomes and higher mortality rates. 

Although one-fifth of Canadians (18%) live in rural communities, only 8% of physicians in Canada serve rural communities, and only 3.7% of laboratory medicine specialists cover remote locations, leaving many underserved. Indigenous peoples represent more than 1.67 million people in Canada, almost 5% of the population, and are the fastest-growing population in the country. 

An additional challenge exists in the integration of Western and Indigenous medical practices and beliefs, in which modern healthcare solutions do not incorporate or consider Indigenous principles (e.g., medicine wheel). This, alongside long-standing political and social injustice, breeds further distrust and lack of buy-in to Western medical practices and standards by the Indigenous community.

Health Science X (HSX) digitally transforms existing medical products and technologies to enhance their accessibility and reduce the reliance on traditional brick and mortar healthcare infrastructure. This approach ensures that Indigenous communities have the best tools and training available to tackle healthcare issues.

The HSX product consists of three main components: an interactive modular screen with educational content, rapid diagnostic point-of-care equipment, and a web/mobile app for treatment and communication. All three components generate data that will be used for research and reports.

The interactive modular screens come in different sizes and configurations. Their interface is designed to attract users. When not in use, the display shows videos of well-known local community members, making the content more relatable and impactful. The content is designed to be culturally sensitive, relevant, and engaging. A secured dispensing component can be added to the screens which includes inventory management. It can dispense rapid diagnostic tests, medication and other health essentials. An additional enclosure can be added to the inventory solution to create a self-contained, private kiosk. Additional health tracking metrics are incorporated in the kiosk including a BMI scale, an automated temperature scanner, and heart rate monitor. 

In partnership with leading health tech companies, HSX is able to bring the latest point-of-care rapid diagnostics technology to underserved communities, which allows users to conduct rapid and accurate diagnostic tests on-site, providing results in minutes, without the need for laboratory facilities. The use of rapid diagnostics technology enables the solution to diagnose and recommend medical treatment faster, improving patient outcomes and catching serious illnesses earlier. Some rapid diagnostics require a medically trained professional to administer the test.

In addition to rapid diagnostics technology, HSX creates tailor-made interactive educational content to support Indigenous communities. Education is key to raising awareness and promoting healthy lifestyle practices that can prevent or manage chronic health conditions. HSX also provides remote monitoring and direct access to virtual healthcare professionals such as physicians, counselors, and nutritionists. This ongoing virtual support encourages community members to change unhealthy habits by helping them understand the correlation between healthy lifestyle practices and chronic health conditions. This support system enables community members to receive ongoing support including mental health, and guidance in managing their health conditions through a culturally-informed platform. 

Users start by taking a quick self-survey and when the survey indicates a moderate or high level of risk of a condition like type 2 diabetes, the system will suggest the user take a rapid test and create an account so they can track their results and progress, and schedule their next testing date. The website and mobile app will host a number of digital videos and information about illnesses related to lifestyle choices. Users can create personalized diet and exercise programs and schedule time with healthcare experts. Future features include a system for collaborating and posting content so members of the community share their stories, tips, and traditional practices and recipes, making the solution more collaborative and engaging.

Health Science X's solution is a powerful and cost-effective approach to improving healthcare services and providing equitable access to such services to underserved Indigenous communities in remote and rural locations. Unlike other modern Western healthcare technology platforms, the solution will be developed in partnership with Indigenous thought leaders to intentionally develop a platform for inclusive and culturally-informed health care delivery to foster trust,  providing a potential solution to mitigate the significant gaps in healthcare outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

HSX has been working together with Indigenous communities, to ensure that our solution has a cultural approach at its core and takes into consideration cultural competencies such as providing language accessibility, integrating traditional healing practices and healthy recipes, involving community leaders, incorporating visual and cultural representations, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, addressing connectivity challenges and developing culturally sensitive educational content. By considering these factors, our solution can better meet the needs of Indigenous communities while respecting their cultural values and traditions.

For the pilot, HSX has partnered with Four Front Environmental Services (“FFES”), an organization that is part of the Sucker Creek First Nation community. As part of its mission, FFES wants to provide community support and information to First Nations, which is our shared goal of bringing health awareness to those communities. 

The solution relies on three pillars: education, integration of the latest point-of-care rapid diagnostic systems, and ongoing virtual support. The first pillar is education, which aims to raise awareness about the link between lifestyle and chronic diseases. The solution uses interactive technologies to proactively bring relevant content to the community in their own voices, creating a direct line between information and its members.

The second pillar is to integrate the latest point-of-care rapid diagnostic systems with the necessary training for these communities. This will generate crucial data and have a long-lasting impact on several conditions where early diagnosis is critical.

The third pillar is ongoing virtual support to help community members change their habits by understanding the correlation between healthy lifestyle practices and type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many other conditions. 

The solution combines a portable and powerful system that provides culturally sensitive educational content with medically accurate testing. Community members can receive laboratory-quality HbA1c testing to measure their average blood sugar levels over the past three months in minutes, for example, and connect to an online program to provide access to nutrition and exercise support, videos, and questionnaires. They can schedule regular check-ins with physicians and nutritionists to monitor their health and progress toward a healthier lifestyle.

HSX has partnered with FFES to implement our concept. The group works to improve the social, cultural and economic independence of band members and deliver several programs and services. FFES’ work covers most remote areas of Northern Alberta, NW Saskatchewan, NE British Columbia, and the SW portion of the NW Territories. FFES works closely with all Treaty 8 nations encompassing a land mass of approximately 840,000 kilometers and 39 First Nation communities.

FFES is a holistic community operating under the principles of good governance and sustainability. Their health programs include The National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program, and Mental Health. They have the expertise and access to members of the community, and through our collaboration with them, it is clear that their community would benefit from a solution that combines health education, lifestyle-related illness prevention, and the latest rapid diagnostics technology. Indigenous communities have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes for several reasons, including a higher genetic predisposition, historical and ongoing trauma, and a range of social and economic challenges. 

By partnering with FFES, we intend to create content together, and once launched, learn how to improve it so it can be expanded to other communities. Our program will generate valuable data to the community related to rapid tests, personal information and the program's impact on patients.

Our collaboration with FFES will facilitate the development of a successful solution that can be scaled to help other Indigenous communities in Canada facing similar health challenges.

Moreover, the solution will provide these communities with the opportunity to streamline and expedite health care delivery to their own people autonomously. Communities will have ownership over the platform and devices and will have independent oversight as to how they are utilized. Indigenous health care centers who integrate this technology into their standard procedures will also benefit from the potential job and training opportunities that arise, as well as from the opportunity to fortify their healthcare networks by supporting other Indigenous -led or Indigenous-ally businesses within the medical space (counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, etc.).

In 1991, there was a worldwide final effort to eradicate Polio and South America was one of the last places to receive the vaccine due to the harsh conditions surrounding one of the most isolated communities. Bruce MacKenzie, one of the founders of Health Science X, was on the frontlines of the eradication of this terrible illness, bringing vaccines to one of the most remote parts of South America, the Pakaraima mountains.

He was part of the team that created a new method of transportation that preserved the vaccines and transported them to distant communities. It took resourcefulness, creativity, and engineering, and in that same year, the last case of Polio was registered, a mission that once seemed impossible.

This reflects the heart and soul of HSX - solving problems, innovating, and improving health conditions for those who need it the most.

Since 1985, the HSX team has been involved in iconic projects tackling challenges like cataract surgeries in the deep rainforest, educating teens about the dangers of tobacco, using new technologies to help people struggling with their mental health problems, and many other projects that mix technology, design, and creativity with the same goal as the first mission to eradicate Polio: to save and enhance people’s lives.

Jump forward to 2020, the first pandemic of the century created a new challenge for the team and changed the course of the company. HSX designed, engineered, and deployed scalable point-of-care solutions for small to large workplaces and venues that complimented rapid testing with easy-to-use systems. HSX’s singular focus was to provide a convenient, reasonably priced, and high-volume screening system that enables businesses and people to return to work.

The HSX team has worked on health-related projects with large organizations like Bayer Pharmaceutical, ESPN, University of British Columbia, and Pan American Health Organization. 

Most notably, the HSX team understands the cultural and social nuances in working to develop and innovate with Indigenous leaders and communities. There is significant Indigenous engagement experience within HSX’s senior leadership. Adrian Duke, CEO & co-founder of HSX, was a former Board of Directors member for the Native Education College working alongside BC First Nations groups (youth, Elders). He also has experience working with Vancouver Native Housing to put on an Indigenous art and culture festival (Kanata Festival) and with the Young Entrepreneurs Symposium put on by New Relationship Trust. Speaking directly to the cultural knowledge required to co-create and implement technology-forward solutions within Indigenous communities, Adrian has also worked with Indigenous artists to create an augmented reality app for storytelling.

HSX has the experience and expertise to bring innovative health solutions and rapid diagnostics to Canadian Indigenous communities.

Our objective in joining the Solve challenge is to gain access to a range of benefits related to R&D and the production of our healthcare product, from funding and expertise to networking and exposure.

One of the primary areas where we’d like to receive support is access to additional funding to help reduce our research and development costs, manufacturing expenses, and other expenses associated with bringing our product to market.

Another important benefit would be access to experts from different fields, including healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship. These experts can provide valuable advice and guidance, including legal and regulatory, which would help refine our ideas and make our product more impactful. They can also introduce us to technologies not yet released in the market that could be useful to communities and incorporated into the future evolution of our product. 

We hope to connect with other healthcare innovators, investors, and potential partners and gain exposure to healthcare companies in the U.S., especially in the field of rapid diagnostics. This would help us expand the functionality of the product and attract new customers, investors, and partners, and increase our visibility in the North American healthcare industry.

Our team lead, Adrian Duke, has developed a relationship with the Sucker Creek First Nation through our work with remote worksites in Alberta. Through a partnership with an industrial medical services company to which we supplied hardware, software and rapid diagnostics equipment, we are working alongside FFES and our Oil and Gas client. This experience has given FFES an opportunity to see how we’ve aggregated technologies to solve the issue in a challenging environment. From there we began exploring how this solution and experience could be beneficial to providing a similar suite of tools to improve access to medical support in their community. We are now working on a Joint Venture Agreement that will enable FFES and the Sucker Creek First Nation the opportunity to generate revenue and jobs within the community while they support us in customizing the solution, testing it via a pilot program and then distributing it to other communities they know are looking for similar services. 

Additionally, we are connected to nearly 100 Nations across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan who we can expand the pilot program to at the right time. We are also a member of the Advanced Business Match which is a networking platform that First Nation communities and First Nations development organizations use to achieve their business and community objectives. We are well connected in First Nations communities which positions us well to have the dialogue needed to customize and develop the right suite of tools and then to find the right fit for communities who need the support.

Access to healthcare for Indigenous communities in Canada and the U.S. is often limited due to a range of historical and systemic factors like geographical isolation, reduced funding, and different cultural practices and beliefs. Indigenous communities have suffered from a long history of colonialism, discrimination, and mistreatment by healthcare providers, which has created mistrust and made it difficult for Indigenous people to seek care.

For the past 3 years, HSX has been gathering data on rapid testing and how to bring health services to underserved communities and industries. HSX has a partnership with Abbott Laboratories, which enables us to offer the latest technology in rapid diagnostics.

Our solution consists of a unique combination of rapid testing and diagnosis, integration of telehealth that covers an array of treatments, and ongoing culturally-informed health-related education that empowers the community to manage their health. The system is designed to solve the issue of healthcare products not integrating together and not being user-friendly for the patient and healthcare professional, which can drastically improve access to healthcare for people living in Indigenous communities. Our objective is to empower them so they have more control over their healthcare and well-being. 

Another critical innovation to our solution is building content together with the communities, not only learning from them but also making them part of the team. By incorporating their health priorities, feedback, cultural practices and beliefs, into the final product, making it more impactful and providing a more relevant and engaging user experience. The communities will, in turn, have sovereignty and autonomy over their data, health care processes, and workflows. HSX will also hire community members in operations and business opportunities. This collaborative style process brings many benefits to the end result - trust; buy-in from the community; support in integration of the solution; understanding other issues that come up and solving them during the process; having a better understanding of the nuances of each community, which will provide us with learnings that we can implement in other communities. 

Integrating education with point-of-care technology will allow community members to detect chronic conditions and receive treatment much earlier, which can significantly reduce mortality rates. This is especially significant for major illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis. Diagnosing these conditions earlier can lead to treatment and better outcomes for those community members, and can reduce the need for hospitalization and decrease healthcare costs for both the community and government.

The product is also highly scalable. Its low cost and low dependency on specialized on-site medical staffing allow it to scale up rapidly to reach more people. This can help address the global burden of several conditions like T2D and tuberculosis, two major public health challenges.

We hope that the success of our product can encourage ongoing culturally-infused and inclusive collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, and technology companies. This can lead to the continuous evolution of our solutions to further improve healthcare services in communities that lack access to high-quality public healthcare in Canada and beyond.

The solution is designed to provide long-lasting results and scale to expand to several Indigenous communities in need, initially in Canada, and eventually in the U.S.

Rapid diagnostics and telehealth are powerful tools for improving healthcare access and independence for Indigenous communities. By leveraging these technologies, we can provide more equitable care that is responsive to the unique needs and cultures of these communities. 

Another important impact goal is related to generating data that can be used in research and identifying important patterns that can be used to better understand the health needs of Indigenous populations.

Unrestricted data ownership by the patients is very important, and having access to healthcare data can empower patients to take an active role in their own healthcare. Patients can access their own medical records to review their medical history, test results, and treatment plans. Data privacy has an increased relevance for Indigenous communities that have reservations about sharing their medical data due to a history of mistrust and mistreatment by healthcare providers and institutions. 

HSX understands how telehealth and technology can impact this community, which has a history of mistreatment due to racism or prejudice in clinics and hospitals. A community-based health solution is an important step toward reconciliation and earning back trust in those communities, bringing much-needed treatments, chronic illness diagnosis, and overall access to better healthcare. The best way to promote this transformational impact can be achieved by engaging in respectful dialogue and collaboration with Indigenous communities to ensure that their perspectives and concerns are understood, respected, and implemented.

For the past year, HSX has been working closely with the Indigenous group FFES to get their input on the design and features of our solution. Over the next year, our goal is to implement our solution in the Sucker Creek First Nation in Canada and expand into other communities that are part of FFES over the next 3 years.

During this time, the data that is generated will be used to provide product updates and upgrades. In partnership with the University of British Columbia and other researchers, HSX plans to expand the list of features over the next five years based on data, feedback, and the needs of the communities.

As of March 2021, there were 633 First Nation communities in Canada, with a total registered population of approximately 1.6 million individuals, but in reality, the numbers could be significantly larger. The goal is to launch the product and its services in at least 30 First Nation communities in Canada in the next five years, and up to 5 more in the United States.

Additionally, the solution can be expanded to benefit the population living in remote communities, those that are geographically isolated and have limited access to services and infrastructure. Currently, 17.8% of the Canadian population lives in remote areas, which is 6.6 million people. Approximately 14% of the U.S. population, or about 46 million people, live in remote areas.

Our solution addresses mainly two of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-being, and Reduced Inequalities.

Aligned with the aforementioned goals, our solution seeks to ensure that all individuals have access to quality healthcare services and the latest rapid diagnostic technology to diagnose illnesses like type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis. Our primary focus is on Indigenous communities, which are underserved and neglected by public services.

To measure our progress towards these impact goals and to understand how rapid diagnostics and telehealth can generate a long-lasting impact in Indigenous communities, HSX tracks various metrics related to healthcare outcomes, access to services, testing results, biodata from patients, and their satisfaction. 

Some key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used to measure progress in this area include the percentage of Indigenous people with access to rapid diagnostics for type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis and telehealth services, including results from tests, quizzes, and other services used and/or requested.

With that data, we can review the reduction of incidence rates of type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis in those communities along with the improved health outcomes and quality of life for those living with type 2 diabetes.

To track progress towards these KPIs, HSX will also use various methods such as collecting and analyzing healthcare data, conducting surveys to assess patient satisfaction and healthcare access, and monitoring the implementation and uptake of rapid diagnostics and telehealth services, and virtual treatments.

Key indicators that HSX will use to track progress made for the goal of reducing inequalities include measuring health outcomes and access to healthcare services for Indigenous populations relative to non-Indigenous populations, particularly for services, treatments, and rapid testing that are currently unavailable to those communities.

It is important to note that measuring progress towards impact goals related to healthcare in Indigenous communities requires engagement with Indigenous communities themselves. Indigenous peoples will be involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare interventions to ensure that these interventions are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs and priorities of those communities.

Our theory of change for using telehealth and rapid diagnostics in Indigenous communities is rooted in several key assumptions and causal relationships.

The first assumption is that Indigenous communities face a lack of access to timely and effective healthcare services, resulting in poor health outcomes and higher rates of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. This is supported by several reports that have shown that Indigenous populations face significant disparities in health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous populations. For instance, a report published in 2020 found that while Indigenous peoples make up only 5% of the world’s population (approximately 370–500 million), they account for 15% of the extremely poor and have a life expectancy that is 20 years shorter than that of non-Indigenous people. The high burden of mortality has been associated with lacking adequate healthcare and health information, being more susceptible to communicable diseases, and being at higher risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and prediabetes.

The second assumption is that telehealth and rapid diagnostic technologies can effectively bridge the gap in healthcare access by enabling healthcare professionals to remotely diagnose and treat patients in these communities, thereby reducing the time and cost barriers to receiving care. Numerous studies have shown that telehealth can improve access to care and health outcomes for Indigenous communities, particularly in the areas of chronic disease management and mental health.

The third assumption is that point-of-care rapid diagnostic technologies  can lead to early identification and treatment of chronic diseases, as well as access to additional treatments like nutrition, fitness, mental health, and speech therapy, can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs in the long run. This is supported by research that has demonstrated that telehealth can be an effective tool for delivering diabetes self-management education and support to remote Indigenous communities, and can improve glycemic control and diabetes self-management skills in Indigenous communities in the United States and Australia.

For example, a study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that point-of-care testing for tuberculosis can lead to earlier detection and treatment initiation, resulting in better outcomes for patients. Rapid diagnostic technologies can also be used for the early detection and management of other chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. 

A final critical point to our assumptions, our theory of change emphasizes the importance of involving Indigenous communities, practices, and principles in the content creation process related to healthcare education and prevention. This approach recognizes the importance of cultural relevance and appropriateness in healthcare materials and aims to increase the adoption of healthy behaviors and improve health outcomes and is supported by direct experience and research.

Our theory of change is centered around the idea that improving access to healthcare services will lead to improved health outcomes, greater social and economic opportunities, and improved quality of life for individuals and communities and engaging Indigenous communities in the content creation process, and working collaboratively with healthcare providers and policymakers to develop comprehensive and effective approaches to healthcare education and prevention.

HSX is creating a line of products that combine software, hardware, and design to bring healthcare services to underserved communities. The software uses cloud technology and is web and app-based. The app uses SMS technology. However, a mobile device is not required; the interactive modular screens can be used as a standalone product. The hardware includes interactive modular screens that have user-friendly, durable touch screens. The design is focused on the user experience so the products are indigenized, intuitive, and easy to use.

The software collects and tracks inventory in real-time, monitors important analytics, and provides reporting tailored to that community’s specific needs. The front-end applications of the software include telehealth and educational tools. TELUS Health, a global-leading tech company, provides a community of virtual, independent health practitioners from around the world. The educational tools consist of community-led information and support that is backed by an Indigenous medical team. The information on conditions will include Indigenous traditional medicine along with Western medicine. Users can go through the process of determining their condition through a series of questions in the self-survey and can learn about different conditions, including any that they may have. They may also choose to speak directly with a virtual doctor, for instance, about their health concerns, or choose to go through the self-diagnosis flow and also speak with a healthcare professional. 

The interactive modular screens are used to help diagnose a user’s condition without having to sign into the system, but will need to create an account if they’d like to schedule a virtual consultation with a doctor, for instance, because their health history will require to be available to the doctor to properly diagnose their condition and recommend treatment.

The software is installed on interactive modular screens. They have built-in high-definition, two-way cameras and speakers for virtual sessions with healthcare professionals. The robust, interactive interface of the screens ensures that the user and doctor get the highest quality experience. They also have built-in UV sanitization, which sanitizes the screens between each user’s session. 

The dispensing component can be added to the screens, which transforms them into high tech inventory solutions that are amortized, low-cost tools with layers of security and accessibility added on to prevent theft, overuse and lack of inventory. The dispensing capability is flexible enough to include rapid diagnostic tests that are relevant to each community including type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis as well as other products such as naloxone kits. As more rapid diagnostic tools come onto the market, they can be added to the suite of products.

The screens and dispensing units can be used in almost any setting. They just require a reliable power source and stable Wi-Fi. Many communities, however, do not have access to a reliable internet connection, if at all. As part of the solution, we will include Starlink devices, which provide reliable high-speed Wi-Fi. Given their small footprint, the screens can be implemented in small rooms, community center hallways, small pharmacies, and other places that are limited in space.

If the user has a mobile device and they’ve opted in to receive SMS notifications, they will receive notifications for booked consultations and reminders. They will receive follow-up emails from healthcare professionals and will be able to schedule their next consultation online or on the mobile app. If mobile devices or personal computers are not accessible, the user can easily create an account, schedule consultations and follow-ups on one of the interactive modular screens in their community center (or wherever the screens have been set up).

Health Science X has been built following the principles of diversity, equity and inclusivity, and has incorporated those principles into our company’s mission and values.

To develop a culturally informed telehealth point-of-care solution for Indigenous communities, several key steps will be taken. Firstly, co-creation with the community is essential. This involves engaging in focus groups and meetings with community members, including youth and Elders, to actively listen to their perspectives and involve them in the decision-making process.

Recognizing that each Indigenous nation has its unique perspectives and values, collaboration with multiple First Nations is crucial. Understanding and respecting the diversity of thought among different First Nations communities is essential in creating a solution that caters to their specific needs.

Land acknowledgment plays a significant role in cultural sensitivity. Before conducting meetings or events, taking the time to learn about the land and acknowledging its Indigenous history and significance is important.

Integrating culture and language into the telehealth product is another important aspect. Collaborating with knowledge keepers and incorporating cultural elements and Indigenous languages ensures that the solution reflects the cultural context and preferences of the communities being served.

Cultural sensitivity training is vital for all staff involved in our solution. Providing training on cultural competence and encouraging staff to research and become Indigenous allies helps create a respectful and inclusive environment for Indigenous patients.

Another important aspect is removing systemic barriers, therefore ensuring that our systems and products are accessible and don't pose a system barrier. For example: a potential barrier for individuals in remote communities may be not having access to a vehicle, or having poor or non-existent internet connectivity, which is common in remote communities. Complicated and non-intuitive applications is another example. The sign up process and software in general needs to be easy and accessible with the fewest amount of clicks. 

And finally, project management and engagement styles will also be respected. Recognition that timelines, hierarchy of governance and decision-making, and other elements of project management that the HSX team may be accustomed to may not be aligned with the Indigenous communities’ “ways of knowing”, so we will leverage senior leadership’s significant Indigenous engagement experience to navigate.

Since 1992, the team behind Health Science X (HSX) has been involved in high-level projects, addressing the most challenging issues in field medical deployments. With a unique combination of tools and skill sets, we engineer improvements to bridge gaps, working closely with all stakeholders involved. HSX is dedicated to finding innovative, cost-effective, and reliable solutions that prioritize urgency, recognizing the value of each day.

During the recent pandemic, our team collaborated with leading pharmaceutical companies to enhance the user experience and develop new methods to facilitate a safe return to work. Our business model included designing, engineering, and deploying scalable Point-of-Care (POC) solutions for workplaces and venues of all sizes. These systems complement rapid testing with user-friendly features, ensuring easy deployment wherever needed.

Health Science X serves a diverse range of clients, including healthcare providers, workplaces and employers, government and public health agencies, community and non-profit organizations, and research and academic institutions. HSX provides innovative solutions and technologies to enhance healthcare delivery, improve workplace safety, support public health initiatives, address healthcare disparities, and contribute to research and academic initiatives. By catering to the unique needs of each client sector, HSX aims to promote better healthcare outcomes and contribute to the advancement of healthcare knowledge and practices.

Leveraging our extensive experience in digital integration, we empower users to take control of their healthcare by utilizing familiar tools such as mobile devices and interactive displays. Our goal is to make screening accessible, affordable, and interactive, putting users in charge of their health.

HSX's Medical Advisory Committee comprises Canada's top experts in public health, front-line medicine, remote and Indigenous communities, as well as authorities on infectious diseases. They provide invaluable guidance in the development and deployment of new systems and solutions.

Our business model is based on an integrated approach, driven by the core vision of bringing health services to underserved communities. We operate through two sections: our product and our projects. In our projects, we utilize the service subsidization model, while the product side follows the low-income client model.

Our main focus for the MIT Solve application is our current product, which was designed to generate revenue through two streams: upfront costs, covering hardware, software, customization design, and installation services, and ongoing costs, encompassing software subscriptions, medical staffing, and maintenance/support services.

To fund the development and implementation of the solution throughout Indigenous communities, HSX will seek to leverage government funding to subsidize and minimize costs for our Indigenous partners. 

We will also seek out the opportunity to bundle solutions to Nations willing to work together on implementing the solution across their communities, which will allow us to offer discounted services and incentivize more communities to onboard. 

Internally, using our for-profit and fundraising channels (e.g., Jobs and Growth Fund), we will also be able to subsidize Indigenous initiatives and programs. 

Options through this mechanism include:

1. Consulting services for the design and build of systems will be provided at cost.

2. HSX, through additional for-profit channels in Pharmacies and Workforce Health, will subsidize Indigenous initiatives with facilities, operating assets and  personnel to a maximum of $500k per annum.

3. The Canadian government allocates $400M per annum to Indigenous healthcare. Within that budget, $50M is available to applicants developing "indigenized" programs, tools, and services. Entities with Indigenous ownership, whole or in part, are prioritized, especially if those programs, tools and services are self-managed.

Once deployed our solution will have an integrated revenue model focusing on low-income clients by providing services supported financially by the government and part of public health care in Canada.

Another part of our sustainability model is a proposed 20 year government contract based on data reporting compliance from participating nations that gives Health Canada real-time optics on diabetes and prediabetes occurrence. This data will be used to monitor offset costs for reduced-cost health management, transportation cost reduction, and expensive treatment of long-term diabetes related complications. The funding model is based on a 1:4 ratio of program dollars spent to long term cost savings.

HSX has achieved financial sustainability by using our for-profit channels to subsidize Indigenous initiatives and programs. In the past few years, Health Science X has delivered projects and services to companies like LNG Canada, Sony Pictures, Freedom from Addiction, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, and TransCanada, among others. The company has generated over $10M (CAD) in gross revenue and has a lucrative operation with currently ongoing projects in Canada, the U.S. and Germany.

HSX has created strategic partnerships to minimize costs and receive discounts on medical hardware and rapid diagnostics through our medical suppliers like Abbott Rapid Diagnostics.

Indigenous-owned private health insurance providers have expressed interest in underwriting and/or rewarding healthy living initiatives that minimize future medical complications. Once the system has been set up, it’s designed to be sustained and managed by the communities themselves. For example, training and tools will be provided to the community leadership to operate and update. This allows minimal need for continuous financial and operational support from external sources. 

The company has applied for product funding from programs like Impact Canada and CanExport, and can also benefit from tax credit programs in Canada like SR&ED and IRAP.