Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that good health and wellbeing is essential in order to create sustainable, equal and thriving societies. This year, the Black History Month Theme of Black Health and Wellness elevates the importance of SDG 3 by highlighting the disparities within the healthcare system. According to data from the CDC, COVID hospitalization rates among black people were 4.7 times the rate of white people.

However, Black Health & Wellness is also meant to celebrate the legacy of Black scholars, medical practitioners and innovators such as doulas, midwives and herbalists. Learn more here.

What role do social impact startups play in health & wellbeing? 

Innovations around health & wellness are always happening within the startup community.

Organizations in the Impact Hub community like Breathe 99, Backpack EMR, The Arc Minnesota and EOS International are working to ensure access to essential services, healthcare, clean drinking water and respiratory protection.

Coconut Whisk and Body Love Products are creating vegan, all-natural products that put health first.

However, even if your social business does not explicitly focus on health & wellbeing, we can still take steps to advance wellbeing in our work communities. Afterall, the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work – nearly one third of our adult lives!

Moving the needle on public health at the workplace

• Provide safe and hazard-free work environments which includes a holistic approach to health & wellness (both physical and mental)
• Understand social determinants of health especially for disadvantaged communities
• Extend benefits to family members
• Provide effective wellness programs to advance SDG 3
  • Culturally unique wellness strategies
  • Digital health & wellness platforms
  • Mental Health & Employee Assistance Programs

Learn more through this presentation by Safa Gamam, Global Wellness Program Manager & Consultant at Optum International