Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Reduce Health Disparities: Inequalities in healthcare systems present a challenge worldwide, with social determinants of health (SDOH) accounting for a significant portion of overall health outcomes. To address this issue, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is seeking innovative approaches to integrate social care and healthcare, reduce health disparities, and improve outcomes in select countries.
Partnerships are preferred for this initiative, and the eligibility for funding includes non-profit community-based and faith-based organizations, health equity focused non-profit organizations and coalitions, non-profit medical or professional societies, patient advocacy and policy focused non-profit organizations. Academic institutions, government agencies, and hospitals/hospital foundations are excluded from the application process.
The therapeutic areas of focus for this program are oncology, hematology, and hemoglobinopathies. The geographic regions targeted are Brazil, Hungary, India, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
Research has shown that access to healthcare services is influenced by social, environmental, and economic factors. In Asia, women in resource-limited households in rural areas face significant challenges in accessing care, while high-income Asia Pacific countries have higher mortality rates among older people compared to lower-middle- and low-income countries. Thailand has a high incidence and mortality rate for all cancers, and India is expected to see a significant increase in cancer incidence in the coming years.
The United Kingdom experiences disparities in cancer incidence and mortality due to socioeconomic deprivation. Similarly, Hungary has higher cancer mortality rates and a shortage of doctors and nurses compared to the EU average. In Brazil, long waiting times for medical care and disparities in access to radiotherapy and pediatric oncology services contribute to health inequalities.
BMS aims to address these disparities by focusing on program elements such as SDOH screening, navigation assistance, and linkage to services for patients, integration of social care and healthcare services, community resources for patients, partnerships between SDOH/social care and healthcare organizations, education and training for SDOH screening and care linkage, cultural competency, diversity, and partnerships between community-based organizations and healthcare professionals.
Apply by 12th October 2023
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