American Heart Association Offers Health Equity Training

The American Heart Association (AHA) released an entrepreneurial training program to assist health equity innovators in tackling social determinants of health (SDOH) issues that impact urban and rural communities.  

The EmPOWERED Innovation Academy, powered by AHA, will provide health equity-focused start-ups, non-profits, and digital and health tech companies with mentoring, funding opportunities, and ongoing training. The various training concepts will include design thinking methodologies, prototyping, customer design, and brand storytelling. 

Specifically, EmPOWERED Innovation Academy participants will have access to trainings that aim to refine, test, and improve their solutions. The selected innovators will also learn how to unlock and analyze qualitative data and use design thinking methodologies. Additionally, participants will develop skills to become influencers in their market and receive access to training and grant opportunities, such as the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator fund and the Social Impact Fund. 

The Innovation Academy helps develop and grow innovative ideas and small businesses that focus on health justice and social and systemic determinants of health irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status. 

Upon completion of the Innovation Academy, participants will be equipped to participate in regional and national EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerators, which offer business training, grants, and support to the mission statement of the health equity-focused organization. 

Through the Business Accelerators, AHA has awarded grants worth more than $1.1 million.  

Per the press release, the nationwide application period for the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator is anticipated to be released in May 2023. 

“The American Heart Association is seeking to engage social/health justice focused entrepreneurs, businesses and non-profits as well as digital/health focused innovators and entrepreneurs,” AHA officials wrote.  

“The American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED Innovation Academy aims to help grow and scale the impact of these entrepreneurs meeting the needs of their communities in addressing social and health justice. Providing training is crucial to developing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive healthcare industry. By offering a range of resources and support, we can help create a more equitable and accessible health care system.”