Fast Forward and Deloitte Health Equity Institute Power Up Tech Nonprofits
Black Americans have a three-and-a-half-year lower¹ life expectancy than White Americans. Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health relative² to men. And a child born in a low-income neighborhood is disproportionately exposed to air pollution³, which can harm their developing lungs and cognitive abilities. Achieving human potential and overall well-being requires a multi-sector approach that aims to minimize disparities and promote health equity. Health equity is more than equal access to care. It is the fair and just opportunity for everyone to fulfill their human potential in all aspects of health and well-being.
In an endeavor to tackle these pressing health disparities, Fast Forward is thrilled to announce a strategic collaboration with the Deloitte Health Equity Institute to support a portfolio of visionary tech nonprofits through investments of human and financial capital. This collaboration, propelled by a commitment to leverage technology for social good, is a step forward in the journey towards health equity.
“We believe that technology can enable intention. It can be a powerful force for good when applied thoughtfully and intentionally to address health disparities and drive better outcomes for everyone. Technology sits at the center of our vision for the future of health, and we are glad to be supporting leaders in the space to blaze a trail to help ensure that future is an equitable one.”
– Nicole Kelm, Senior Manager at the Deloitte Health Equity Institute
Central to this effort are eight remarkable organizations working at the intersection of technology and equity. These organizations are dedicated to making a difference for marginalized communities by developing innovative and community-centered technology solutions to some of the most pressing healthcare challenges.
Closegap
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth in the U.S., and one in five teens between ages twelve and eighteen suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder. Schools are on the frontlines of the youth mental health crisis, and while they have an opportunity to strengthen our mental health safety net, they’re often understaffed and under-resourced. That’s where Closegap comes in, providing mental health support to K-12 students. Through daily mental health check-ins, Closegap gives educators real-time insights into student well-being.
Dollar For
In America, there is an estimated $220B in outstanding medical debt — the leading cause of bankruptcy. Hospitals all over the U.S. have financial assistance programs, and yet many patients in need may be unaware of their existence. Dollar For is empowering patients by making this assistance known and easy.
Koko
Millions of young people are showing signs of distress online. But, on average, it takes over a decade for someone struggling with mental health to seek help. That’s where Koko comes in. When people encounter harmful content, Koko guides them to free helplines, peer support, and self-help courses. By leveraging the platforms people use every day, Koko is reaching at-risk teens.
Lemontree
77% of hungry people don’t visit food pantries and soup kitchens. Lemontree connects users to free food near them through an SMS helpline. Its solution is powered by the most comprehensive dataset on food resources, backed by up-to-the-minute data and real user feedback. Lemontree meets people where they are, treating each user with dignity and respect by connecting them with a hospitality specialist who provides personalized recommendations about quality food resources nearby.
Lenny Learning
Research shows that mental health education is an effective way to prevent and reduce mental health crises. However, current solutions for schools are falling short — 9 out of 10 teachers don’t feel equipped to address student mental health. Lenny Learning uses AI to equip educators with effective education and interventions. Lenny Learning is on a mission to increase mental health literacy, prevent suicide, and promote lifelong wellness.
OpenAQ
Air pollution is one of the largest public health threats to humanity: 1 out of 8 deaths in the world are due to poor air quality. OpenAQ has created an open data platform to unite disparate air quality data from across the world, empowering governments, environmentalists, and developers to fight for cleaner air in their communities.
Reboot Rx
More than 10M people die of cancer annually despite an estimated $1T spent on cancer care per year. Reboot Rx improves the lives of cancer patients through existing generic drugs. It utilizes AI-powered technology that fast-tracks the development of affordable cancer treatments by repurposing generic drugs. Reboot Rx is expanding affordable treatment options for cancer patients.
SIRUM
More than one in three people in the US have not filled the prescriptions they need to stay healthy due to cost. SIRUM helps low-income Americans access affordable life-saving medicine. The largest medicine recycler in the U.S., SIRUM connects those in need with unused surplus prescription medicine at an accessible cost. SIRUM is helping to ensure that every American has access to the life-saving medication they need to be healthy.
Each of these organizations bring expertise and passion to the table. From making medication affordable and feeding hungry people to accelerating cancer research and fighting the mental health crisis, their work embodies the spirit of innovation. By leveraging data-driven insights, cutting-edge technologies, and community-driven approaches, these organizations are poised to make a real difference in the lives of underserved communities.
Shannon Farley, Co-Founder of Fast Forward, encapsulates the purpose of this collaboration perfectly: “At Fast Forward, we believe in the power of technology to drive social change. By collaborating with DHEI to support these pioneering nonprofits, we’re not only advancing innovation in health but also reshaping the narrative around health equity.”
But this work doesn’t stop here. Our collaboration with the Deloitte Health Equity Institute will allow Fast Forward to tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources to catalyze systemic change.
“Health equity is an essential part of a future in which we collectively experience better health and more inclusive prosperity for everyone. Closing gaps in health outcomes will require action from across industries and sectors. Innovation and collaboration within and between organizations is critical to driving the impact we want to see for individuals and communities. Better health for all is everyone’s business.”
– Jay Bhatt, Managing Director of Deloitte’s Center for Health Solutions & the Deloitte Health Equity Institute
From leveraging data insights to equipping leaders and others to drive change, our efforts are intended to ripple far beyond the confines of individual organizations. We’re not just imagining a healthier, more equitable world — we’re building it, one innovative solution at a time.
Stay tuned for updates on our collaborative projects and the impact these organizations are making in the world. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.