Understanding the cause is the first step toward recognizing the solution.
It has been said that "if you keep doing what you've been doing, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten." We have millions of preventable deaths, injuries, and illnesses; rising rates of chronic disease; and an approach to health that is bankrupting families, businesses, and governments. What's needed is new thinking and approaches to problems both new and old, and sometimes, returning to our roots and core values. Renowned health and human rights pioneer Dr. H. Jack Geiger understood this when he began prescribing shoes and food at his rural health clinic.
Upstream solutions, such as strategies that get to the root of the problem, are potential modern innovations. Often these new approaches involve providing analysis that inspires a new perspective, breaking down traditional silos, and considering truly equitable solutions. In order to shift focus and achieve funding, programs, and decision making that supports healthy communities and wellbeing for all, it's going to take new evidence and partnerships and an emphasis on quality prevention.
