Massachusetts is on the cusp of a significant transformation in health equity, thanks to the innovative partnership between Takeda and Partners In Health (PIH).As we mark Community Health Workers Awareness Week, this collaboration, announced by Dr. Chris Reddick Announced by Dr. Chris Reddick and led by the newly appointed Director, Kristina St. Cyr this collaboration aims to address health disparities and improve outcomes across several towns in the state. Building on their long-standing global partnership, which began in 2017, Takeda and PIH are now bringing their expertise and community-centric model to the U.S.,focusing on breaking down systemic health barriers and elevating the role of CHWs in driving meaningful change.
Dr. Reddick emphasized that this partnership is an extension of their successful international efforts. “We’ve worked in underserved communities worldwide—Caribbean, Haiti, Sub-Saharan Africa—using a model that strengthens communities from within,” he said. “Now, we’re bringing those best practices back to the U.S., aiming to accelerate health equity by sharing knowledge and resources across communities.”
Under St. Cyr’s leadership, PIH addresses critical barriers to equity in the community health workforce. The initiative emphasizes the professionalization and standardization of Community Health Workers (CHWs), advocating for fair compensation, and fostering supportive environments for these essential workers. “CHWs are a key component to addressing health equity overall,” Kristina asserts. “By supporting their professional growth and ensuring they are adequately recognized and compensated, we can make significant strides toward achieving health equity.”
A deep, authentic engagement with communities is central to the partnership’s philosophy. “It’s about building trust, which takes time and consistency,” Dr. Reddick noted. Growing up in southeast D.C., a diverse and underserved community, Dr. Reddick understands firsthand the challenges these communities face. “When we engage with communities, we’re not just talking; we’re listening and learning.”
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This approach involves working closely with local leaders, patients, and healthcare workers to ensure that initiatives are relevant and impactful. “It’s not a top-down approach,” he explained. “We’re not here to impose solutions but to empower communities to stand on their own.”
Three Pillars of Partnership
Dr. Reddick highlighted three key messages for communities:
- Building Trust: Building long-term relationships based on consistency and genuine engagement.
- Sharing Knowledge: A reciprocal exchange where both the community and Takeda learn from each other, enhancing cultural competence and developing local healthcare capabilities.
- Creating Impact: Ensuring that their efforts lead to measurable improvements in health outcomes, economic development, and stronger connections to the healthcare system.
Building Trust: The Foundation of Health Equity
Building trust is the cornerstone of Takeda and PIH’s approach. Dr. Reddick emphasized the importance of being present and consistent in communities. “Trust isn’t built overnight. It requires time, patience, and a genuine commitment to be there for the long haul,” he said. This trust-building process involves listening to community members, understanding their unique challenges, and working together to find solutions.
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Dr. Reddick shared his personal experiences stemming from his Southeast D.C. childhood. “I know the importance of having people you can trust, who understand your situation and are committed to helping you improve it,” he explained. Takeda’s commitment to placing individuals who reflect the communities they serve is a crucial aspect of this trust-building strategy. “We need to look like the communities we’re working with. Representation matters in building that trust.”
Sharing Knowledge: Empowering Communities
The second pillar, sharing knowledge, is about creating a two-way street where both Takeda and the community learn from each other. Dr. Reddick described this as moving away from a transactional model to a more collaborative approach. “We’re not here to just provide resources. We’re here to share our expertise and learn from the community’s lived experiences,” he said.
This involves training community members in data science, epidemiology, and other relevant fields. “If we can teach communities about how to track and measure diseases, diagnose illnesses, and understand health data, we can empower them to take control of their own health outcomes,” Dr. Reddick explained. This approach not only strengthens the community’s capacity but also helps Takeda develop treatments that are culturally competent and more effective.
“Our approach is community-driven and inclusive,” adds St. Cyr. “We provide ongoing education and resources to ensure that everyone involved has a strong understanding of health equity, racial equity, and policy advocacy. This is not just about creating another program; it’s about driving systemic change that can have a lasting impact on our communities.”
Creating Impact: Achieving Tangible Results
The ultimate goal of this partnership is to make a real, measurable impact on health outcomes. “We’re not in this for the photo ops or the publicity,” Dr. Reddick stressed. “We want to see genuine improvements in the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
This involves setting up pilots in various communities and rigorously measuring their outcomes. For example, Takeda and PIH are working with a Faith Health Alliance in southwest Georgia. “If we can show that our approach improves health outcomes in this community, we can replicate it across the country,” he said. The aim is to create sustainable, scalable models of community health that can be adopted nationwide.
“Policies and systems impact health inequities the most,” St. Cyr emphasizes. “By addressing historic systems of oppression and applying an equity lens to all policies moving forward, we can move toward a world where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy, no matter their income, race, or zip code.”
Dr. Reddick’s passion for health equity is deeply rooted in his upbringing. “Both of my parents were activists, deeply involved in social justice and community work in DC,” he shared. “That spirit of activism and community engagement was instilled in me from a young age.”
This personal connection drives his commitment to challenging the traditional industry approach. “For too long, we’ve operated from a distance, hoping that resources would trickle down. That doesn’t work. We need to be present in these communities, working alongside local leaders and residents.”
As Takeda and PIH move forward, they are focused on implementing and measuring the impact of their initiatives. “We’re running pilots in various communities, such as southwest Georgia, to see if our approach can genuinely improve health outcomes,” Dr. Reddick said. “If successful, we aim to replicate these models across the country.”
Dr. Reddick is optimistic about the future, not just for Takeda and PIH, but for the broader industry. “We’re committed to this journey, but we also want other industry players to join us. Collectively, we can have a much bigger impact.”
