Health disparities remain a persistent challenge in cities like Baltimore, where cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects Black residents. The roots of these disparities run deep, entangled with historical injustices and a profound mistrust of healthcare institutions. Addressing such challenges requires more than medical interventions. It demands a fundamental shift in how healthcare is delivered, with trust and community engagement at the core.
Novartis, a global leader in medicine, is pioneering a new approach that goes beyond traditional healthcare models. Through innovative programmes and a commitment to corporate responsibility, Novartis is demonstrating that the path to better health outcomes begins with listening, partnership, and empowering communities from within.
Addressing health disparities through community engagement
Baltimore’s struggle with cardiovascular disease is emblematic of broader health inequities across the US Black residents are about 30% more likely to die from heart disease than their White counterparts, and rates of uncontrolled hypertension remain stubbornly high. These statistics are not just numbers. They reflect generations of systemic barriers, from limited access to care to economic hardship and cultural mistrust.
Recognizing this, Novartis and its partners launched the Engage with Heart initiative in October 2023. This programme brings healthcare directly into the fabric of the community, meeting people where they are; literally and figuratively. By situating health screenings in trusted spaces like churches and senior centers, Engage with Heart acknowledges that effective care must be accessible, familiar, and rooted in respect.
The power of trust-first healthcare models: engage with heart
Traditional healthcare often asks patients to come to clinics and hospitals, navigating unfamiliar environments and bureaucratic barriers. Engage with Heart flips this script, bringing pop-up cardiovascular screenings to the heart of Baltimore’s neighbourhoods. These events offer free, rapid assessments for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose, with immediate feedback from healthcare professionals.
But the real innovation lies in what happens next. Education follows every screening, turning raw numbers into actionable insights. For example, one retiree learned that his daily instant-noodle habit was driving up his blood pressure. With guidance from a trusted volunteer, he made dietary changes; and saw tangible improvements by his next visit.
At the core of this model are Community Health Ambassadors (CHAs). These local leaders, often church volunteers or students in nursing and public health, receive culturally sensitive training to deliver education, support, and follow-up. Their deep roots in the community make them powerful agents of change, bridging the gap between medical expertise and lived experience.
Employee-driven corporate responsibility at Novartis
What sets Novartis apart is its belief that corporate responsibility should be lived out by employees, not just dictated from the top. Through programmes like the Novartis Global Health Fellowship and community partnership grants, employees are empowered to lead local initiatives, volunteer their expertise, and become advocates for change.
This approach transforms corporate social responsibility (CSR) from a checkbox exercise into a dynamic, purpose-driven culture. Employees mentor young scientists, organise health screenings, and support food banks, all while gaining a deeper sense of fulfilment and connection to their work. The result is a multiplier effect: as employees grow as leaders, the impact of their efforts ripples outward into the communities they serve.
Strategic philanthropy and measurable impact
Novartis doesn’t just give for the sake of giving. Its philanthropic efforts are strategic, data-driven, and designed for long-term impact. The company forms partnerships with trusted local organizations, sets specific outcome goals, and rigorously tracks progress.
For Engage with Heart, this means measuring not only the number of screenings performed but also health outcomes, referrals to care, and community-reported gains in knowledge and empowerment. Between October 2023 and early 2024, the initiative engaged hundreds of residents across churches and senior centers, delivering dozens of screenings and counselling sessions. Early results are promising, with improved health indicators and growing community trust.
This commitment to measurement extends to other Novartis initiatives as well. By supporting employee-led giving campaigns, matching donations, and leveraging both financial and human capital, Novartis amplifies its impact and ensures that resources reach where they are needed most.
Building resilient communities: lessons learned
The success of Engage with Heart and similar programs rests on several key principles:
- Listen first: Effective interventions begin with understanding community needs and concerns. This means engaging local leaders, respecting cultural norms, and co-designing solutions.
- Empower local leaders: Community health ambassadors and other local partners are essential for building trust and delivering relevant education.
- Integrate health with lifestyle: Addressing health disparities requires more than medical care. Initiatives like healthy food demonstrations and produce distribution recognise that nutrition, exercise, and daily habits are central to well-being.
- Measure what matters: Tracking outcomes (both quantitative and qualitative) ensures accountability and drives continuous improvement.
- Sustain engagement: True impact comes from long-term commitment, not one-off events. Novartis stays engaged with communities, supporting them through challenges and celebrating their successes.
Takeaway
Novartis’ work in Baltimore and beyond offers a powerful blueprint for how corporations can drive meaningful change. By embedding trust, empathy, and community engagement into every initiative, Novartis is helping to dismantle barriers to health equity and inspire a new generation of responsible leaders.
The journey is far from over. As other cities and organizations look to replicate these models, the lessons are clear: healing begins with trust, and sustainable progress is built on partnership, respect, and shared purpose.
For those seeking inspiration and practical guidance on giving back, Novartis’ ongoing efforts are documented in detail. Explore their approach to corporate responsibility and community engagement at Novartis Live.
Ellen Diamond, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.