Access to health services is an area in which business can bring its organizational resources, expertise, and products to bear on a specific and widespread social problem. Inadequate access to medication, dental, eye care, sexual health consultation, and screening for cancer and other diseases is a problem both domestically and abroad. Businesses have a number of initiatives to combat this problem, including:
- Philanthropic donation of medicine or medical supplies
- Funding or coordination of mobile health clinics or screening vans
- Logistical coordination for bringing health professionals or supplies to remote or underserved populations
- Translation of health education materials into other languages
Why does business engage this issue?
Business can be part of the solution. Both abroad and in the United States many people lack access to basic health services and business has the opportunity to be part of the solution, particularly by applying its unique capabilities, such as logistics. Health services can have a huge impact on a community’s well-being and business can help effectively provide them.
Market expansion and penetration. By providing healthcare to underserved communities, a company not only improves the health of these communities, it demonstrates its commitment to them. The goodwill created by these initiatives provides license to operate in that community, and positively associates a company’s brand with a new healthcare option.