Human social structures are complicated, and more often than not, the solutions put in place to solve a social challenge lacks a holistic and intersectional approach. From the education system to healthcare and job prosperity, there are some that thrive, and others that lack the support needed to meet their basic needs. This is why, according to Kwame Owusu-Kesse, governments need to take broader social and economic implications into account when approaching the COVID-19 pandemic.
To get his point across, Kwame Owusu-Kesse uses the example of the Harlem Children's Zone, which took a more holistic approach to helping those in need during these trying times. In his own words, the speaker powerful stated, "we weave together a net of services so tightly so that no one will fall through the cracks." This method, according to Owusu-Kesse, can be applied on a broader scale.
Image Credit: Harlem Children's Zone
What's Driving This Trend
- Holistic Approach to Social Challenges
- There is an opportunity for businesses to develop holistic solutions that address the intersectionality of social challenges, such as education, healthcare, and job prosperity.
- Broader Social and Economic Considerations
- Businesses can innovate by considering the broader social and economic implications when responding to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Creating Supportive Safety Nets
- Disruptive innovation can occur by creating tightly woven networks of services that prevent individuals from falling through the cracks.
Who This Affects Most
- Education
- The education industry can leverage a holistic approach to address the diverse needs of students and provide comprehensive support.
- Healthcare
- Healthcare providers can adopt a broader perspective to healthcare access and delivery, considering social and economic factors for better patient care.
- Social Services
- Government and non-profit organizations in the social services sector can develop innovative solutions that create stronger safety nets and address social challenges holistically.
