EMPOWERING CHANGE: UNVEILING OPPORTUNITIES IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Many changes we see in the world stem from a keen eye for opportunities to transform everyday life.
We can promote positive and pivotal changes in society and health conditions by identifying how to connect knowledge and scientific studies with real-life opportunities and needs and create solutions that benefit society on a large scale.
It is also possible to think of new uses of technology and smart solutions to address common health risks/ problems people face daily.
We see numerous instances where creativity is utilized to develop clever, impactful, cost-effective solutions that bring about positive changes and cultivate an innovative perception. These innovations originated from astute observation of people’s daily routine challenges.
Case 1
YELLOW CANTEEN (INDONESIA)
DULUX: Paint brand gives schools a fresh coat to stop kids from getting sick
Brief Description
Indonesian schools usually feature open-air dining areas, presenting a specific health risk: flies landing on children and their food. In the country’s hot and humid climate, flies are vectors for diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, typhus, and cholera. The issue is especially acute in schools near markets, landfills, and other favored breeding grounds.
Years ago, entomologists discovered that flies are repelled by the color yellow. In getting to know this study, paint manufacturer Dulux Indonesia created a pilot experiment repainting tables, seats, and walls in several schools, which led to a notable decline in insects.
Why is it significant?
Innovation often lies in tackling the challenges that people face in their daily lives. Surprisingly, even an essential, cost-effective solution like paint can address and resolve relevant health issues.
Case 2
THE HEALTH PURSE (INDIA)
Mahindra Rise: a purse that reminds women to perform a breast self-exam.
Brief Description
The incidence of breast cancer is on the rise in rural India, but women are unaware of simple self-examination steps that can detect breast cancer early. These women live in media-dark areas, so conventional media doesn’t reach them. Moreover, culturally, these women are not open about such issues.
Observing that Indian women have a unique practice – they keep their purses in their blouses to protect their money, Mahindra wondered if this habit also protects them from breast cancer. The company designed purses with illustrative visuals of women checking themselves – which served as a medium to remind them to perform the simple breast self-examination steps given inside.
The purses were distributed during health awareness drives in several villages. Women were taught how to perform a breast self-examination at home before giving them the purses that serve as a reminder.
Why is it significant?
This case stemmed from careful observation of the habits of local women. By integrating health education with a familiar habit, the campaign promotes early detection of breast cancer and respect. It engages with the local culture, making it more likely to be embraced by the target audience. Additionally, the intention to scale up the initiative to reach more women in media-dark parts of the country underscores its potential to have a broader impact on women’s health in India.
Case 3
THERAPIES IN TRANSMISSION (CHILE)
TVN: project turned TV into a tool for combating insomnia in an entire country
Brief Description
Chile is the Latin American country with the highest rates of insomnia. Millions of Chileans live in extreme areas with low access to doctors, the internet, or apps.
TVN, Chile’s state television, uses the end of the daily transmissions to air a TV therapy for insomnia patients.
Each day, between 02:30 and 05:30 hours, at the end of transmissions, a particular set of signals, images, colors, and noises specially chosen by professionals, known as “white noises,” are aired. The aim is to create the atmosphere of different scenarios, such as waterfalls, forests, sea, wind, breeze of trees, campfires, and rain, that help the audience to fall asleep.
Why is it significant?
This concept was based on observing a typical pattern among insomniacs: their tendency to turn on the television to help them fall asleep.
It is relevant as it addresses a common health issue, provides an accessible sleep aid and professional guidance, serves as an alternative to medication, promotes healthy sleep habits, positively impacts public health, and reduces stress.
It also demonstrates a thoughtful approach to using media for the well-being of its audience. The reach of television made it a powerful tool for the service of the people and raised awareness of the problem.
Key Takeaways:
our cut ABBOVE
We saw
Chances for creativity and innovation surround us. They often hide in the challenges we encounter, our routines, and the problems we seek to solve.
Looking at these opportunities with fresh lenses allows us to explore unconventional paths, challenge the status quo, and transform ordinary moments into catalysts for meaningful change.
We learned that
We can transport scientific findings into real-life experiments
especially if we find an engaging way to solve a real problem or address people’s pain points straightforwardly, similar to what we observed in the Yellow Canteen case study.
It’s essential to observe how people solve their problems
At times, by taking proactive steps and boosting existing practices, we can achieve exciting results, as seen in TVN’s solution for insomnia.
Cultural traditions and habits can offer valuable insights into unlocking ingenious solutions, as exemplified in the case of the health purse.
This encourages us
to look around and actively seek ways to enhance overall health and well-being.
To inquire about potential popular applications of scientific discovery. How might it be integrated into several areas of our everyday lives?
Triggers for innovating
What possibilities exist in our children’s schools, workplaces, gyms, meals, leisure time, home routines, and daily commutes?
What are the common daily problems that can cause a health concern?
Could we explore any cultural practices or beliefs that might be relevant for consideration?
How do we bridge scientific research with tangible, everyday solutions?
ABBOVE TEAM