One Health Heroes

One Health Heroes is a gamified platform that empowers communities to fight back against AMR. By playing, users report on animal health, agricultural practices, and personal antibiotic use, generating valuable data for comprehensive analysis to inform policy and improve surveillance, especially in LMICs where AMR is a growing threat.

Aginiwe Tweve, Team Lead

Problem ;Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Threatens Global Health,Notaby in LMICs

One Health Heroes tackles the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses a major threat to human, animal, and environmental health globally. Statistics reveal the alarming scale of the problem:

• 4.95 million deaths are associated with AMR annually, with 1.27 million directly attributable to antibiotic resistance.
• This number is projected to increase to 10 million deaths per year by 2050.
• LMICs are disproportionately affected due to factors like:
  • High burden of infectious diseases requiring antibiotic use.
  • Limited access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), promoting infection and selective pressure for resistant bacteria.
  • Inadequate regulations on antibiotic use in humans and animals.
  • Lack of robust surveillance systems to monitor AMR trends.

These factors create a vicious cycle, where widespread antibiotic use, often misuse or overuse, fuels the development and spread of resistant bacteria, jeopardizing the effectiveness of these crucial medicines.

One Health Heroes addresses this problem by engaging communities in data collection and raising awareness about responsible antibiotic use. By filling the data gap in LMICs, the platform aims to inform evidence-based interventions to combat AMR and protect public health.

One Health Heroes: Empowering LMICs to Fight AMR

Target Audience:

• Individuals in LMICs: Farmers, livestock owners, pet owners, and healthcare seekers gain knowledge and contribute to fighting AMR.
• Local healthcare professionals: Doctors, veterinarians, and community health workers use data insights for better diagnoses and patient education.
• Policymakers: Public health officials leverage data for evidence-based policies on AMR control.

Needs Addressed:

• Individuals: Contribute to global health, learn responsible antibiotic use, and improve personal health practices.
• Healthcare professionals: Gain data for informed decisions and improved patient care related to antibiotics.
• Policymakers: Develop effective policies for AMR control and antibiotic stewardship, protecting public health.

Understanding Needs & Engagement:

• Community consultations: Focus groups and surveys will understand perspectives on antibiotic use, access to information, and challenges.
• Local stakeholder collaboration: Partnerships with NGOs, agricultural extension services, and healthcare institutions ensure cultural relevance and user-friendliness.
• Outreach & feedback: Informative workshops, demonstrations, and in-app features will raise awareness and gather user feedback for continuous improvement.

One Health Heroes actively engages stakeholders in LMICs, empowering them to collectively combat AMR.

One Health Heroes directly generates several public goods:

1. Open-source data on antibiotic use: The anonymized data collected from the platform will be made freely available to researchers, public health officials, and policymakers globally. This data will contribute to a deeper understanding of AMR trends in LMICs, informing evidence-based interventions to combat this global threat.

2. Educational resources on responsible antibiotic use: The mobile app will include educational content on the importance of responsible antibiotic use and the dangers of AMR. This information will be accessible to all users in their local languages, promoting positive behavior change within communities.

3. Improved public health surveillance: By providing data on antibiotic use in animals, humans, and agriculture, One Health Heroes contributes to strengthened public health surveillance for AMR in LMICs. This information is crucial for early detection and response to potential outbreaks and the development of effective control measures.

These public goods directly benefit the well-being of the public globally by:

• Advancing knowledge about AMR in LMICs.
• Empowering individuals to make informed choices about antibiotic use.
• Supporting public health officials in developing effective strategies to combat AMR.

One Health Heroes: Impact in LMICs

One Health Heroes empowers individuals and informs policymakers in LMICs:

• Individuals: Gain knowledge, contribute data, and receive incentives, promoting responsible antibiotic use.
• Policymakers: Leverage data insights to develop interventions like regulations, access to quality antibiotics, and awareness campaigns.

Impact:

• Empowered individuals: Potentially reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, slowing AMR emergence.
• Informed policy decisions: Data can lead to effective interventions, potentially decreasing AMR prevalence and improving public health.
• Strengthened public health systems: Early detection and response can help contain outbreaks and protect communities, especially vulnerable populations.

Evidence: Studies show educational interventions and data-driven policy can be effective.

One Health Heroes empowers communities, informs policy, and strengthens health systems, creating a lasting impact on LMICs, especially vulnerable populations.

Scaling One Health Heroes: Year-by-Year Impact

Year 1: Pilot, Test, Learn

• Launch in 2 LMIC communities with local partners.
• Refine platform, gather data, and measure impact.

Year 2: Expand and Empower

• Scale to 5-10 LMICs, building local capacity.
• Share findings to advocate for wider adoption.

Year 3+: Sustainability and Global Influence

• Secure funding and refine scaling strategy.
• Advocate for policy change at international level.

This phased approach scales impact through:

• Geographic expansion and local empowerment.
• Robust evidence generation for policy and practice.
• Global advocacy for systemic change.

This roadmap positions One Health Heroes to make a significant and lasting contribution to the fight against AMR in LMICs, ultimately protecting the health and well-being of millions around the world.

Measuring Success: One Health Heroes

One Health Heroes will employ a multifaceted approach to measure success against its impact goals:

1. User Engagement:

• Number of users registered and actively using the app.
• Frequency of data contributions (e.g., reports per user per month).
• Completion rates of educational modules within the app.

2. Behavior Change:

• Changes in self-reported antibiotic use patterns among users.
• Increased awareness of AMR and responsible antibiotic use, measured through surveys.

3. Data Quality and Utility:

• Completeness and accuracy of user-reported data.
• Number of data downloads and analyses by policymakers, researchers, and public health institutions.
• Citations of the platform in scientific publications and policy documents.

Pilot Performance :

Once the pilot launches, we will collect data on the above metrics and compare them to pre-defined benchmarks. This will allow us to assess the effectiveness of the platform in engaging users, promoting behavior change, and generating valuable data.

By monitoring these indicators throughout the different stages of scaling, One Health Heroes will gain valuable insights into its reach, effectiveness, and overall impact on combatting AMR in LMICs. This data will be crucial for refinement, adaptation, and advocacy efforts, ensuring the platform continues  contribute meaningfully to this global challenge.

One Health Heroes: Deployment & Impact

Deployment (3 years):

• Pilot in Rwanda, Tanzania (Year 1-2): Supportive environment, existing partnerships, good infrastructure.
• Potential expansion to Zambia (Year 3+).

Scaling Considerations:

• Cultural adaptation: Translation, local tailoring through user feedback and partnerships.
• Digital literacy: User-friendly interfaces, tiered educational content.
• Funding: Diversified strategy (grants, partnerships, impact investments).

Barriers & Mitigation:

• Finance: Cost-effective development, diverse funding, cost-sharing.
• Technology: Offline functionality, low-bandwidth tech, training for local partners.
• Policy/Legal: Stakeholder engagement for data privacy and policy alignment.

Resources & Strategies:

• Partnerships: Leverage existing connections for launch and scale-up.
• Expertise: Assemble a team with relevant skills to address technical challenges.
• Advisory board: Seek guidance from LMIC experts on cultural adaptation and policy.

By acknowledging challenges and having mitigation plans, One Health Heroes aims for sustainable impact in AMR control within 3 years.

One Health Heroes and The Trinity Challenge: A Perfect Match

We are applying to The Trinity Challenge for several key reasons:

• Alignment with Challenge Goals: Our solution, One Health Heroes, directly addresses The Challenge's focus on data-driven solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in LMICs.
• Gaining Visibility and Recognition: The Challenge's global platform will provide crucial exposure and validation to One Health Heroes, attracting potential partners, investors, and users.
• Overcoming Barriers: The Challenge can help us address several critical barriers we currently face:
  • Financial Constraints: Access to grant funding and potential partnerships can alleviate financial limitations for pilot launch and scaling.
  • Policy and Legal Hurdles: The Challenge's network and expertise can connect us with relevant stakeholders to navigate data privacy regulations and ensure policy alignment.
  • Sustainable Funding and Partnerships: The Challenge can facilitate connections with potential long-term partners and investors who share our vision for a sustainable and impactful solution.

By participating in The Trinity Challenge, One Health Heroes aims to leverage resources, gain valuable insights, and overcome critical barriers to ultimately create a more sustainable and impactful solution in the fight against AMR in LMICs.

We are eager to collaborate with diverse organizations to support various aspects of One Health Heroes

1. Public Health Organizations:

• World Health Organization (WHO): Collaborate on technical guidance, data sharing, and policy advocacy for AMR control in LMICs.
• National public health agencies in LMICs: Partner on pilot launches, data collection, and capacity building for local stakeholders.

2. Technology Companies:

• Mobile network operators: Facilitate affordable and accessible internet connectivity for platform users in LMICs.
• Tech for Good organizations: Leverage expertise in developing user-friendly and culturally adaptable mobile applications.

3. Funding and Investment Partners:

• Philanthropic organizations
• Impact investors

4. Local NGOs and Community Groups:

• Partner on community mobilization, user outreach, and cultural adaptation of the platform for local contexts.
• Collaborate on data collection efforts and ensuring responsible data use practices.

Benefits of Collaboration:

• Expertise sharing: Gaining access to specific knowledge and resources from each partner organization.
• Enhanced credibility and reach: Leveraging the reputation and networks of established partners.
• Resource mobilization: Securing funding, technical support, and in-kind contributions from collaborators.
• Sustainability and scalability: Building a strong network of partners to support the long-term success of One Health Heroes.