Saving the World – One Design at a Time

With COVID-19 still rampant – rates are currently higher than they’ve ever been where I am in Ohio – health of oneself, friends, family and communities across the world has been top of mind for most everyone. Design may not be the first industry you think of when it comes to combating health crises around the world, but design can play a large role here.

These organizations are taking steps to make health care around the world better and more equitable. They’ve worked on everything from responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to helping save the lives of newborns and children.

Design that Matters
Design that Matters is a non-profit that solves problems with a special focus on working for and with the poor in developing countries. Its projects have included designs like Firefly Phototherapy to help newborns in rural hospitals with jaundice and a COVID-19 face mask to protect frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic.

MeasureD
MeasureD is committed to evaluating social design’s contribution to human health. The organization serves as a resource to anyone interested in using social design to strengthen society and better the conditions for equitable human health. One of its main focuses is helping others understand where, when and how social design is most effective.

D-Rev
D-Rev (soon to be going by the name Equalize Health) designs and delivers medical technologies that close the quality healthcare gap for under-served populations. This organization completes the research, design and development of its products and then partners with industry leaders to manufacture and scale, allowing the designs to reach as many people as possible.