IXL Social Enterprise Case Studies Chronic Diseases October, 2013 | Page 2

Message from President Clinton

Dear Friends:
Our interdependent world offers more opportunities for creative cooperation than ever before.
Great minds from around the globe have shown us what is possible when we embrace our
common humanity, bridge our timeworn differences, and work together to find effective and
sustainable solutions to our shared challenges.
One of the most inspiring examples is the annual Hult Prize competition. Over the past four
years, the Hult Prize has brought together some of the brightest young innovators to address
the obstacles that prevent prosperity and opportunity from thriving worldwide. From increasing
access to technology and clean water to tackling poverty and food security on a global level, past
competitions have yielded tremendous ideas that support business and social enterprise while
serving the greater good.
This year’s Hult Prize competition will address the pressing challenge posed by chronic, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)-including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic
respiratory diseases-and their highly related mental and behavioral health conditions. Since
the 1980s, we have made great strides in strengthening health systems and lowering the cost
of diagnostics and treatment in the developing world. While this progress is significant, NCDs
continue to take a devastating toll on lives and livelihoods, causing two thirds of all deaths
worldwide annually. About 80 percent of NCD-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income
countries-and if we fail to act, the World Health Organization estimates that NCDs will cost these
countries more than US$7 trillion by 2025.
In order to stem this crisis and alleviate the burden on those working to survive on just a few
dollars a day, we must offer prevention strategies, early diagnosis, and effective healthcare
infrastructures in urban and peri-urban communities. Social enterprises, which creatively combine
the tools used by governments, NGOs, and the private sector, offer some of the most promising
opportunities for innovation in these areas. Through the Hult Prize challenge, you will be part of
the solution as you develop accessible, affordable health enterprises capable of delivering care to
the millions of people suffering from chronic diseases in or near the world’s cities.
Access to health care should be a right, not a privilege. As you work to create business plans that
advance shared opportunity, shared responsibility, and shared prosperity, I encourage you to take
the opportunity to learn from other companies and organizations that have made strides in NCD
prevention and treatment. I commend all of you who choose to answer this important call, and I
look forward to seeing the many outstanding ideas the competition will produce.

Sincerely,

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