Challenge 3 – Advancing Health Equity in Massachusetts (US)

MeHI launched this challenge to build on the work of AHEM and to identify digital health products that can be part of the answer to eliminating disparities in health outcomes and reducing the number of lives lost to preventable causes. They take a broad view in their definition of digital health and are looking for solutions at the intersection of health care and technology.

Applicants may apply to one of the following four tracks in the AHEM Challenge. These tracks cover key challenge areas in the broader AHEM Initiative that they believe can be positively affected by digital health solutions. Each track includes examples of challenges and opportunities within the focus area, but these are not exhaustive lists, and any applicants with solutions that support one of the tracks are encouraged to apply. Applicants may only apply for one track and should select the track that best aligns with their solution.

Categories

• This Challenge is divided into four tracks, all aimed at meeting AHEM’s goals of eliminating racial, economic, and regional disparities in health outcomes:
  • Sandbox Track One: Addressing Social Determinants Of Health (SDOH) for Cardiometabolic Diseases
    • SDOH are the environmental conditions that affect one’s health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services groups these into five major domains: economic stability; education access and quality; health care access and quality; neighborhood and built environment; and social and community context. These social drivers play a critical role in cardiometabolic health, and many of them disproportionately impact communities of color. Digital health solutions can help address the root causes of these disparities, improve health outcomes, and reduce premature deaths. Key opportunities include:
      • Improving access to testing, diagnostics, and care for all;
      • Improving connections for patients to services that address the increased risk of cardiometabolic issues associated with food insecurity, unclean environment, and unequal access to health care;
      • Providing solutions for cardiometabolic diseases that are tailored to underrepresented communities.
  • Sandbox Track Two: AI for Health Equity
    • AI-powered digital health solutions can address bias in testing, diagnosis, and delivery of care and improve access to high-quality health care in underserved communities. However, AI solutions must be properly trained, vetted, and updated to ensure they are not perpetuating existing biases in the health care delivery system. Key opportunities include:
      • Expanding access to cutting-edge medical interventions in chronically underserved communities, including those that are economically disadvantaged and communities of color;
      • Alleviating racial and gender bias in the health care delivery system;
      • Increasing the capacity of the health care workforce to improve access to high-quality, personalized care.
  • Sandbox Track Three: Maternal and Infant Health
    • Over the past ten years, the rate of severe maternal morbidity in Massachusetts has nearly doubled. More alarmingly, these complications have been increasingly concentrated among Black birthing people. Remaining healthy during pregnancy and after birth positively affects long-term health outcomes for both the birthing parent and their child. Digital health solutions can be a critical tool in improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Key opportunities include:
      • Improving access to high-quality, culturally competent prenatal and postpartum care to help reduce the rate of severe maternal health complications for all birthing people;
      • Decreasing the rate of maternal death, of which 84% of cases are preventable;
      • Improving care postpartum to ensure new mothers receive the support they need;
      • Addressing inequities and maternal complications for women of color, who are two times
  • Track Four: Medicaid Pilot Track
    • Solutions to the challenge areas in all four tracks may include the following, but all applicants with relevant solutions are encouraged to apply:
      • Remote monitoring devices
      • Wearable tech solutions (e.g. biometric devices and sensors)
      • Ambient intelligence
      • Mental and behavioral health platforms
      • Therapeutic platforms
      • Telehealth solutions
      • Care coordination tools
      • Assistive technology devices
      • Virtual reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) tools
      • Mobile applications
      • Virtual programming and services

Benefits

• While only the top solution in each track of this Challenge will receive grant funding to complete their Sandbox projects, all participants will benefit from the program. Benefits include:
  • Connecting with key partners in the Massachusetts digital health ecosystem through Mass Digital Health Connects:
    • Understand the digital health funding landscape in Massachusetts
    • Learn about and connect with leaders in key industries
    • Hear from federal and state policymakers on fundamental issues and innovation priorities
    • Learn about cybersecurity and legal considerations for digital health startups
    • Hear from experts about how to navigate and work with health systems and payers
    • Gain an understanding of other programs and resources in Massachusetts that are aimed at supporting digital health startups
    • Learn more about Mass Digital Health Connects
  • Accelerate time from R&D to production:
    • Benefit from cohort learning
    • Work with experts to assess your testing needs
    • Meet with Sandboxes to understand the research and testing opportunities
    • Partner with a Sandbox to scope a detailed validation project
  • Gain Funding Access:
    • Be prepared for investor meetings.

Funding Information

• The projects are valued at $50,000 each and the funding for each project will be paid directly to the Sandbox and must be used to cover the Sandbox partner’s fees.
• A pilot opportunity with UMCMS and C3 valued at $100,000 for the winner of the Medicaid Pilot Track.
• The opportunity to complete validation projects at one of MeHI’s Digital Health Sandboxes, which are valued at a total of $150,000.
• The 12 finalists selected by MeHI to participate in the program will compete for prizes worth $250,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must propose a new solution that is not yet widely commercially available.
• Applicants do not need to meet a minimum requirement of revenue or investment to participate in the program, however, this program is aimed at companies that have at least a minimum viable product that is ready to be validated with a Sandbox organization. Companies that have participated in an accelerator program previously will receive preference.
• Applicants may be located anywhere in the US. MeHI has set a goal of 50% of the participating companies having a presence in Massachusetts.
• Mass Digital Health Connects will be virtual, however, participants must be willing to participate in a live pitch event at the end of the program. The pitch event will take place in Massachusetts in May 2025.
• Participants must agree to participate in annual follow-up surveys for at least five years after the end of the program. The online survey will ask about company metrics, including, but not limited to:
  • Number of jobs created at your company
  • Number of jobs at your company based in Massachusetts
  • Number of new customers gained
  • Number of new patents, copyrights, or trademarks obtained
  • Amount of capital and non-dilutive funding raised
  • In-kind funding and resources provided to support your Sandbox project for companies selected as Challenge winners
  • Diversity of your board members and/or executive team

Evaluation Criteria

• Applicants from across the country can apply.
• A group of external expert reviewers will evaluate applicants and recommend three companies to participate in the program in each of the four tracks mentioned on page one, for a total of twelve companies.
• Reviewers will evaluate applications on the proposed solution’s uniqueness in the market, potential commercial viability, alignment with their selected track focus area, and ability to support the goals of the AHEM initiative.
• Selected companies will participate in MeHI’s Mass Digital Health Connects, a threemonth series of informative and interactive virtual workshops featuring prominent voices from across the ecosystem, including venture capitalists, state and federal policymakers, and leading researchers.
• Workshops include topics like secure clinical data exchange, mitigating bias and responsibly adopting AI, conversations with a venture capitalist, working with payers, information about Massachusetts Department of Public Health programs for children and families, and more.

For more information, visit MeHI.