How can we build resilience in health systems and maintain access to care despite destabilizing events?

Challenge Overview

Conflict, displacement, and natural disasters affect more than 1.6 billion people–a quarter of the world’s population. These destabilizing events can worsen the availability and quality of health services in contexts where health systems are already weak, increasing the likelihood of death, disease, and poor mental health. The frequency and severity of crises like pandemics, forced displacement, and impacts from climate change are growing. In this moment, it is critical to build resilience in health systems to allow them to better prepare for, manage, and learn from shocks and stresses, while also providing critical care throughout.

Fragile contexts are not limited to large-scale or devastating situations like humanitarian crises. They can also include communities where governance is weak and unable to cope with systemic and institutional inequities, poverty, unemployment, violence, or other factors. In fragile contexts around the world, underserved communities, including but are not limited to, women and girls, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and older adults are often disproportionately affected. 

Technology and innovation, when deployed thoughtfully and in concert with other interventions, have the ability to strengthen health infrastructure, ensure health-related data is current, comprehensive, and actionable, and improve governance and coordination between local and international communities in fragile contexts. Community-driven solutions are also crucial for providing local context in fragile settings and ensuring all people (including less visible groups) have access to the care they need. 

The MIT Solve community is looking for eight technology-based solutions that help maintain access to health care and build health system resilience in fragile contexts. To that end, Solve seeks solutions that: 

•  Increase local capacity and resilience in health systems, including the health workforce, supply chains, and primary care services. 

• Enable informed interventions, investments, and decision-making by governments, local health systems, and aid groups.

• Improve accessibility and quality of health services for underserved groups in fragile contexts around the world (such as refugees and other displaced people, women and children, older adults, and LGBTQ+ individuals).

• Enable continuity of care, particularly around primary health, complex or chronic diseases, and mental health and well-being.

Special Call: Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program 

Systemic inequities and institutional failures contribute to people of color in the US having less access to care and worse health outcomes. Shocks and stresses (such as climate change, disasters, and pandemics) can worsen these disparities. As part of Solve’s ongoing work on US racial equity, we will select 1-2 solutions from the US working to address these disparities for our Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program. 

Prizes

MIT Solve - Solver Award

All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

The GSR Foundation Prize

GSR Foundation will award a prize to solutions that use innovative technology to address pressing issues in their communities and the world. Preference will be given to solutions that use blockchain to improve financial inclusion. The prize is funded by the GSR Foundation, an independent charity founded by GSR, a leading cryptocurrency trading firm. The Foundation seeks to advance education, promote equality of opportunity, and contribute to a sustainable world, emphasizing blockchain and innovative technology-powered solutions. Up to $200,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of Solve's 2023 Global Challenges.

The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 in funding will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of Solve’s 2023 Global Challenges.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Ocean Innovation Prize

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Ocean Innovation Prize is open to solutions supporting innovation for coasts, oceans, and the broader blue economy. The prize is funded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to protecting and progressing planetary health. Up to $100,000 will be awarded across up to two Solver teams from any of Solve's 2023 Global Challenges.

The HP Prize for Accelerating Digital Equity

The HP Prize for Accelerating Digital Equity is open to solutions that advance digital inclusion in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity in communities across the U.S. and globally, with a focus on teams benefiting marginalized groups. This prize is funded by HP, which is a global technology leader that is innovating with purpose and intention to go beyond short-term impact to drive positive, lasting change. Up to $100,000 will be awarded across up to four Solver teams from any of Solve's 2023 Global Challenges and Solve's existing portfolio of Solver teams.

The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion

The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion is open to solutions that advance the economic, financial, and political inclusion of refugees. The prize is funded by Andan Foundation, a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting solutions that promote refugee resilience, self-reliance, and integration. Up to $50,000 will be granted across up to two Solver teams from the 2023 Global Challenges and Solve's existing portfolio of Solver teams.

Semi-Finalists