The challenge: In today’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape, access to quality care for underserved and marginalized communities remains a looming challenge. But everybody deserves access to quality care. At Philips, we share the World Health Organization’s definition of access to care as universal healthcare – which means all people having access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
Our purpose is clear and unwavering: to enhance the health and well-being of people worldwide through meaningful innovation. Aiming to touch 2.5 billion lives per year by 2030, we're committed to improving healthcare access, especially for the 400 million people in underserved communities. This requires a network of innovative solutions, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and public/private partnerships all geared towards making healthcare accessible to all.
The Philips approach
Philips' vision for the U.S. healthcare system is about delivering better care to more people. We envision a future where every individual receives the quality care they need, whenever they need it. Achieving this demands a multi-faceted approach – leveraging cutting-edge technology, building meaningful partnerships and spearheading community-focused projects. By drawing on our expertise in medical technology and collaborating with strategic allies, we’re knocking down the barriers that hinder equitable healthcare access.
Health inequities manifest in various ways, from disparities in insurance coverage to gaps in care quality and outcomes. For example, Black infants face twice the mortality rates of their White counterparts, and diabetes mortality rates for American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and Black populations are significantly higher than White populations. These stark statistics highlight the pressing need for targeted interventions [1].
Real-world impact
Here are just some initiatives that Philips has embarked on to bridge the healthcare access gap:
CSR projects
Collaborative projects
Innovation that drives success
The kind of healthcare innovation required to meet the needs of such diverse populations spans a wide range of our technologies:
A collaborative future
Collaboration is key to addressing these complex health challenges, and it takes partners working closely together with the communities being served and with those delivering healthcare at the local level. Through collaboration with governments, NGOs and other partners, Philips is delivering sustainable healthcare solutions to more people with the goal of making it accessible and equitable for all. Because we believe healthcare is a fundamental human right, not just a privilege for some.
To learn more about our access to care initiatives, visit us and see how we’re creating better care for more people.