Public health and social entrepreneurs as activators of equitable health ecosystems

Abstract

Objectives

To describe approaches that public health and social entrepreneurs take to address health equity, and identify strategies for equitable collaborations with these entrepreneurs.

Methods

We leveraged data from semi-structured interviews, conducted August to October 2022, with 20 public health and social entrepreneurs who focus on drivers of health and health equity. Two researchers employed content analysis, guided by a prior framework.

Results

To support health equity, public health and social entrepreneurs: center equity, critique biases, innovate for inclusion, engage translational expertise, catalyze capacity, and activate equitable systems. Equitable collaborations are supported by re-examining roles, de-conflicting organizational barriers, prioritizing representation, mitigating bias in generating evidence, and employing equitable capital.

Conclusions

Public health and social entrepreneurs can uplift equity across health service design and delivery. More equitable collaborations can advance this work.