This morning global health nonprofit Medic Mobile launched its new health tech accelerator Medic Labs. The accelerator will be focused on providing equitable healthcare globally and using data science to propel this effort. A $3 million grant from The Rockefeller Foundation will kick off Medic Lab’s initial efforts. 

Medic Lab will focus on three areas: human-centered design, data integration and data interoperability (including third-party solution integration). 

Medic Mobile has worked with governments before on community health efforts. Its work includes the Community Health Toolkit, which is an open-source project with multiple digital health products. 

WHY IT MATTERS 

According to a World Bank and World Health Organization report more than half to the world’s population does not have access to essential health services. Increasingly innovators are looking to find ways for tech and data to increase access for populations with less resources. 

“New datasets and precision approaches to clinical practice are transforming healthcare for the wealthy, and it is time for the powerful insights underlying this shift to strengthen health systems serving the poorest and hardest-to-reach communities," Isaac Holeman, cofounder of Medic Mobile and head of Medic Labs, said in a statement. "Medic Labs will play a crucial role in realizing the potential of Precision Public Health, creating human-centered solutions that help community health systems to reach more people in need and improve health outcomes for everyone.”

THE LARGER TREND 

There are several nonprofits focused on innovating for global health equity, perhaps most notable is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation has made investments in several digital health products including VisualDx and Halodoc. 

In the past Medic Mobile has done digital global health work itself and focused on tech for reducing maternal and infant mortality, improving childhood health and focusing on community health systems. 

ON THE RECORD 

“Moonshot ideas have generated innovations that have transformed the lives of many,” Naveen A. Rao, senior vice president of health for The Rockefeller Foundation, said in a statement. “The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support Medic Labs as they apply this approach to generating new ideas that have the potential to advance precision in public health and improve health for all. I welcome others to join us in supporting such bold approaches to solving the world’s greatest public health challenges.”