Health solutions on display at the 2020 ChangeNOW Summit

The Hoffmann Institute partnered with the world’s largest international summit for positive change to convene leaders and discuss the future of health

In 2018, one of the first actions of the newly-established Hoffmann Institute for Business and Society was to become Academic Partner of the ChangeNOW International Summit, one of the largest positive impact conferences in the world, to create an immediate positive impact on business and society. One year later, as the Summit scaled from STATION F to the Grand Palais in Paris, the Hoffmann Institute enthusiastically re-committed as academic partner to accelerate the change needed to transform business to make positive societal contributions.

In 2020, the Hoffmann Institute together with INSEAD’s Healthcare Management Initiative partnered with the AXA Research Fund, to convene INSEAD’s first Business and Society Forum focused on Health to share solutions towards UN Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-being.

Bringing together 200 academics, practitioners, and representatives from governments and civil society, the Forum discussed ways to improve global health and showcased innovative healthcare solutions that could also be compelling business opportunities. Framed by keynote addresses from Paul Polman, Co-Founder and Chair, IMAGINE, and Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Holding AG, the Forum held seven conversations.

Polman, also a member of the Hoffmann Institute Advisory Board, kicked off the day by saying, “It is clear that our current economic system has some challenges – it is not sustainable. Yes, we have lifted one billion people out of poverty, but we have done it in an unsustainable way… We also know that we need to create an economy where more people benefit.”

Discussing the role of businesses in improving health, Sharon Bligh, the Health and Wellness Director at The Consumer Good Forum, along with INSEAD Professor Pierre Chandon presented Collaboration for Healthier Lives, which encourages healthier eating habits in 20 supermarkets around Lyon, France, together with Danone, Carrefour, 30 other organisations and local authorities. Through cognitive, emotional and behavioural nudges, the initiative hopes to positively transform consumer habits in the long run.

Speaking about health solutions in emerging markets, André Hoffmann, MBA’90D and Chairman of the Hoffmann Institute Advisory Board, voiced that, “the purpose of business is to serve the community. Companies are agents of change.” He added that while, “businesses need to be profitable, they also need to consider the impact on both the environmental and social systems.”

Along the same lines, Katell Le Goulven, Executive Director for the Hoffmann Institute, shared the importance of changing the perception of business through education. Reiterating INSEAD’s mission and commitment of promoting business as a force for good, she added that, “financial profitability should not be the sole key driver” for organisations. Adding to the discussion, Benoît Claveranne, CEO of AXA International and New Markets, recalled that without adequate healthcare, people in emerging markets “are their own insurers,” and have no other options than to pay for healthcare through their own pockets.

Diving into how to improve access to medicines in developing countries, INSEAD Emeritus Professor Luk Van Wassenhove was joined by supply chain experts and INSEAD Professor Prashant Yadav to discuss the key role played by closed loop supply chains, and humanitarian logistics. Highlighting the need for more action, Yadav mentioned that “business as usual will not solve our supply chain problems,” and it is vital of have an on-ground understanding of the issues.

Moving into risk and regulation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for health, INSEAD Professor Theos Evgeniou convened a conversation around how to set the right standards, work with like-minded partners and have a clear understanding of developing AI start-up ecosystems.

INSEAD Professor and Deputy Academic Director of the Hoffmann Institute, Mark Stabile opened the discussion on worker well-being in the gig economy sharing his research on independent workers showing benefits such as better psychological health, increased concentration and confidence. In a world already counting one billion of such workers, INSEAD Professor Alexandra Roulet pointed out that while, “gig workers tend to be in better mental health, they also suffer from stress.” Mayya Layt, Head of Driver Growth for France, Switzerland and Austria at UBER, weighed in on the need to create practices and measures to increase their drivers’ well-being.

Shedding light on health inequality amongst young people, INSEAD Professor Kaisa Snellman, shared her research showing how lack of physical activity among children increases a worldwide obesity. Echoing Snellman, Joana Ungureanu, the Move More Manager for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, spoke of the many benefits of physical exercise, like improved self-esteem and better mental health. She went on to share best practices from organisations incentivizing physical activities for children and families.

Closing the day, INSEAD Professor Stephen Chick and Global Head of Diagnostic Information Solutions at Roche, Tim Jaeger, discussed the improvements required in current technological systems to ensure better health decision making. Citing the need for doctors to regularly upskill in order to stay current, Jaeger showed the promise of bot-augmented medical practice.

A healthy population is an engine for economic development and social progress. Building on multidisciplinary academic evidence, the conversations, of the Forum explored the many facets of how to improve healthcare around the world. It also highlighted the opportunities to develop new business models to create habits towards healthier behaviours. As the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic painfully reminds us of the need for strong, resilient and affordable health systems, the first INSEAD Business and Society Forum illustrated that academic research from a business school matters for solutions that improve societal wellbeing.