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Dec 12, 2024
By the Philips Foundation team
Since its launch in 2014, Philips Foundation has evolved from a newly established entity into a global driver of healthcare access, prioritizing scalable healthcare solutions that are built to last. By investing in social entrepreneurs and collaborating with strategic partners, the Foundation successfully scales programs in Europe that address critical areas such as NCD care, maternal health, and emergency care.
In Europe, the Foundation’s efforts have involved tackling the continent’s high rates of cardiovascular disease and addressing the increase of breast cancer among women. “Today, the Foundation’s impact is both immediate and enduring. None of this progress would be possible without Philips employees, whose relentless commitment is key to saving lives, building healthier futures, and driving sustainable change,” says Margot Cooijmans, Director of the Philips Foundation Improving access to defibrillators in remote locations One way Philips Foundation has expanded access to quality, equitable heart healthcare in Europe is by providing automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) to many communities in need. For example, immediate assistance occurs in less than 30% of cardiac arrest cases in Italy, compared to an EU average of 47%. Some smaller Italian islands have no AEDs in their territory. Working with the Italian Red Cross and Philips Italy, Philips Foundation has distributed AEDs throughout the island of Procida and the Aeolian Islands and offers free first aid courses for tourists and residents to build a robust cardio protection ecosystem. These islands face unique healthcare challenges due to limited infrastructure, geographical barriers, and seasonal tourist surges. Procida, Europe’s most densely populated island, highlights these issues with a significant elderly population requiring robust emergency care.
The supply of AEDs and the training of qualified personnel effectively allow us to make entire communities more aware and capable of making a difference when needed.
Rosario Valastro
President of the Italian Red Cross
AEDs are strategically placed based on data from a focused study on cardiac arrest patterns. This initiative is set to enhance, either directly or indirectly, the lives of around 25,000 individuals and countless visitors. Rosario Valastro, President of the Italian Red Cross, commented: “The supply of AEDs and the training of qualified personnel effectively allow us to make entire communities more aware and capable of making a difference when needed.” Promoting preventive health in underserved communities
Philips Foundation takes a long-term view of health outcomes, aiming to support not just diagnosis, but also the prevention of conditions before they develop. Despite widespread availability of preventive examinations in Poland, implementation of preventive programs is very low, particularly in rural areas, leading to delay of proper treatment. Philips Foundation is currently working with the Instytut Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki Foundation (Foundation ICZMP) to create greater health awareness among rural residents, promoting the benefits of preventive examinations. Philips Foundation’s work with Foundation ICZMP will result in a greater participation rate in preventive programs carried out by ICZMP, leading to quicker and more effective treatment in rural areas. A breast cancer detection app for women with a migrant background Another way Philips Foundation has improved healthcare access is through a multilingual app developed with Pink Ribbon Germany to support breast cancer awareness among women from migrant backgrounds. Many of these women lack resources on early breast cancer detection, self-examinations, and connections to care. The app, available in more than 20 languages, addresses these gaps by providing culturally relevant information on breast health, free from ads and data collection. The app has reached tens of thousands of downloads, with steady growth. Partnerships with brands like Chiquita and REWE amplify its impact, and ongoing updates enhance usability.
A launchpad for the future After a decade of impact, where it has evolved to meet new healthcare challenges, Philips Foundation now looks to the future. Cooijmans concludes, “Building on the success of the past ten years, Philips Foundation is ready for its next decade. But we cannot do it alone. At the heart of this endeavor are Philips employees, whose expertise in innovation, design, and sustainability can make a powerful impact on healthcare systems and the communities they serve. Thank you for your continued support.”
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