Embedding Sustainability Into Global Healthcare Strategies

Healthcare inequity and environmental sustainability are increasingly recognised as interconnected challenges for global corporations. Chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer remain leading causes of death worldwide, yet access to timely diagnosis and treatment remains uneven across populations.

Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical sector faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint whilst expanding care delivery.

Community-based models address access barriers

Novartis has announced a major expansion of its community health programmes that integrates sustainability principles across operational, environmental and social dimensions. The initiative aims to reach more than 30 countries by 2030, focusing on underserved communities where healthcare access is limited.

By combining local partnerships, early intervention and data-driven strategies with long-term climate commitments, the programme seeks to demonstrate how healthcare access and environmental responsibility can advance in parallel.

The expansion centres on three distinct care models designed to reach populations often overlooked by traditional healthcare systems. Inclusive Health Accelerators are being introduced across five major US cities including New York City and Los Angeles, focusing on improving access to cancer screening and follow-up care through community partnerships and disease awareness.

Community health initiatives are expanding in countries including Vietnam and Rwanda, bringing diagnosis and treatment for heart disease and cancers closer to patients in low-resource settings. The overall plan aims to provide this initiative to at least 10 low- and middle-income countries.

These models prioritise local engagement, helping to overcome barriers such as cost, distance and limited health awareness.

"We are going further to bring heart disease and cancer care to communities falling through the gaps in health systems," says Michelle Weese, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Novartis, in a company statement. "With progress slowing against chronic disease in many countries and millions missing out on potential treatment, there is an urgent need for new, sustainable solutions to improve access to care."

Data-driven intervention reduces system burden

A key pillar of the strategy involves using data and early intervention to improve long-term outcomes whilst reducing pressure on healthcare infrastructure. Programmes such as CARDIO4Cities, led by the Novartis Foundation, use real-time health data and analytics to identify at-risk populations and guide targeted interventions.

Implemented in cities including São Paulo and Singapore, the approach has already demonstrated significant improvements in hypertension control and reductions in cardiovascular events across cities in 23 countries.

To date, this approach demonstrates threefold to sixfold increases in hypertension control, which are commonly associated with stroke and heart attack rates within one to two years of implementation. By shifting focus towards prevention and early detection, these programmes can reduce the long-term burden on healthcare systems.

Community-based models address access barriers

Novartis has announced a major expansion of its community health programmes that integrates sustainability principles across operational, environmental and social dimensions. The initiative aims to reach more than 30 countries by 2030, focusing on underserved communities where healthcare access is limited.

By combining local partnerships, early intervention and data-driven strategies with long-term climate commitments, the programme seeks to demonstrate how healthcare access and environmental responsibility can advance in parallel.

The expansion centres on three distinct care models designed to reach populations often overlooked by traditional healthcare systems. Inclusive Health Accelerators are being introduced across five major US cities including New York City and Los Angeles, focusing on improving access to cancer screening and follow-up care through community partnerships and disease awareness.

Community health initiatives are expanding in countries including Vietnam and Rwanda, bringing diagnosis and treatment for heart disease and cancers closer to patients in low-resource settings. The overall plan aims to provide this initiative to at least 10 low- and middle-income countries.

These models prioritise local engagement, helping to overcome barriers such as cost, distance and limited health awareness.

"We are going further to bring heart disease and cancer care to communities falling through the gaps in health systems," says Michelle Weese, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Novartis, in a company statement. "With progress slowing against chronic disease in many countries and millions missing out on potential treatment, there is an urgent need for new, sustainable solutions to improve access to care."

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Data-driven intervention reduces system burden

A key pillar of the strategy involves using data and early intervention to improve long-term outcomes whilst reducing pressure on healthcare infrastructure. Programmes such as CARDIO4Cities, led by the Novartis Foundation, use real-time health data and analytics to identify at-risk populations and guide targeted interventions.

Implemented in cities including São Paulo and Singapore, the approach has already demonstrated significant improvements in hypertension control and reductions in cardiovascular events across cities in 23 countries.

To date, this approach demonstrates threefold to sixfold increases in hypertension control, which are commonly associated with stroke and heart attack rates within one to two years of implementation. By shifting focus towards prevention and early detection, these programmes can reduce the long-term burden on healthcare systems.

Climate and circular economy principles

Sustainability is embedded across environmental, operational and organisational dimensions of these initiatives. Novartis has set long-term climate targets, including achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, alongside near-term goals to significantly reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions from a 2022 baseline.

The company also focuses on reducing its environmental footprint through improved water use in stressed regions, minimising water pollution across manufacturing and supplier sites and decreasing waste in core operations whilst eliminating certain materials such as PVC in packaging where feasible.

Efforts to protect biodiversity include assessing impacts at sites near sensitive ecosystems and implementing sustainable sourcing programmes.

Environmental Lifecycle Assessments are used to evaluate the impacts of products and processes across their full lifecycle, from development to end use, enabling the application of circular economy principles where possible.

Internally, the company promotes a sustainability mindset through training, cross-functional initiatives and employee-led "Green Teams" that encourage local action and awareness.

Collaboration plays a key role, with partnerships across industry groups and initiatives such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative, Pharmaceutical Environmental Group and World Business Council for Sustainable Development helping to align broader sector practices. This approach demonstrates how healthcare access programmes can be designed to support both social equity and environmental objectives simultaneously.