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From Innovation to Impact: Scaling Breakthroughs to Save Lives | Dr. Obidi Ezezika | TEDxMcMasterU
TEDx Talksยท 2025-08-18 15:28
Global Health Innovation & Scaling - The global health sector often faces a "delivery gap," where knowledge of effective solutions doesn't guarantee their reach to intended beneficiaries [6] - Scaling up scientific breakthroughs is crucial, as demonstrated by the smallpox eradication, which involved mass production, worldwide distribution, and aggressive campaigns [7][8] - Strategic scaling, rather than just breakthroughs, is key to success in global health initiatives [9] - Funding often prioritizes novelty and innovator profiles over true impact in maternal and child health innovations [11] - There is a need for a paradigm shift towards scaling up evidence-based breakthroughs, considering timing, impact, cost-effectiveness, equity, and scale-up structure [12] Impact & Cost-Effectiveness - Universal coverage of existing vaccines could save an additional 1.5 million lives annually [16] - Scaling up interventions like insecticide-treated bed nets is more cost-effective than creating new treatments, with a $2 investment reducing malaria incidence by over 50% in some African countries [17] Equity & Infrastructure - Scaling up innovations reduces health disparities across socioeconomic classes, as seen with vaccination programs [18] - Scaling up successful interventions builds infrastructure and knowledge that can be leveraged for future discoveries, exemplified by the COVID-19 vaccine distribution [20][21] Proposed Solution - The development of a "high impact innovations list" is proposed, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), to identify and elevate promising innovations for improving population health [22][23][24] - This list would involve a diverse team of experts and set clear metrics for adoption into national plans and investment priorities [24]