5 Groups Using Innovative Methods To Improve Health

Being and feeling healthy is not always about whether or not you've got a cold. Wellness can be informed and shaped by the spaces you reside and work in, structural inequities in society, and more. In no particular order, this list highlights several organizations with groundbreaking solutions to provide holistic health for all.

Let's begin with WRNS Studio, at #1. Founded in San Francisco in 2005, this architecture and planning firm applies thoughtful design meant to promote psychological well-being. Its goal is to work on projects that captivate the senses, stimulate the mind, and create positive distractions.

WRNS utilizes circulation paths and gathering spaces with flexible seating in its designs, meant to encourage exploration, movement, engagement, and exposure to nature. It also incorporates tranquil environments such as quiet rooms and sleep pods devoted to therapeutic use.

Up at #2 is ideas42. This nonprofit's mission is to use scientific studies and insights to build better systems and policies worldwide, thus driving social change. It focuses on a number of areas, including civic engagement, safety and justice, and economic prosperity. For its health initiatives, it has worked to destigmatize school lunches, create playgrounds in cities, and more.

Ideas42 collaborates with leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to apply its behavioral insights to policies, programs, and services. The organization offers in-person and online learning sessions for leaders, policymakers, and practitioners, including executive seminars and multi-day master classes.

We have Empathetics at #3. Co-founded in 2011 by Dr. Helen Riess, the company provides empathy and interpersonal-skills training for physicians and nurses worldwide through online and in-person education.

Empathetics is focused on leveraging scientific methods that enhance human relationships and make medical practices more effective and efficient. Its goal is to increase patient satisfaction, improve health outcomes and team collaboration, and reduce clinical burnout and malpractice claims.

Next up, at #4, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It represents individuals in academia and scientific societies who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Among its various initiatives, AIMBE aims to contribute to policymaking in order to advance medical and biological engineering that benefits the general public. It also recognizes and honors achievements and contributions in its various scientific areas.

Lastly, we have I-MAK, at #5. This organization comprises a team of lawyers, scientists, and health experts focused on research, partnerships, and education. It aims to help increase access to affordable medicines by ensuring the patent system works for the public.

Founded by Priti Krishtel and Tahir Amin in 2006, I-MAK is dedicated to changing an outdated medicine system and finding solutions to address structural inequities, such as through its Participatory Changemaking Model. The company believes that a more just and equitable medicine system must involve a diverse range of voices from every stage of the medical system, especially those most affected.