Lilly, UNICEF expand support to help millions of young people at risk of noncommunicable diseases

Rhea-AI Summary

Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) announced a new $6.5 million donation to UNICEF during the World Health Assembly, bringing their total commitment since 2022 to over $20 million. This funding aims to improve health outcomes for children and youth at risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in resource- areas in India. The initiative will target diseases like type 1 diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and heart diseases, emphasizing prevention, management, and strengthening health systems. This effort aligns with Lilly’s 30x30 initiative to enhance healthcare access for 30 million people in under-resourced settings by 2030.

Positive

• Lilly's $6.5 million donation to UNICEF enhances its commitment to over $20 million since 2022.
• The initiative targets millions of children and youth in resource- areas in India.
• Focus on preventing and managing diseases like type 1 diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and heart diseases.
• Efforts include strengthening health systems and training health workers.
• Aligns with Lilly’s 30x30 initiative to improve healthcare for 30 million people by 2030.
• Previous initiative in multiple countries trained over 2,000 health workers and reached more than 350,000 families.

Negative

• The $6.5 million donation might not significantly impact the company's financials.
• Investments in non-revenue generating initiatives may raise concerns among shareholders.
• The effectiveness of the initiative in improving health outcomes remains to be seen.
• Potential risks if the health programs do not achieve intended results.

New $6.5 million commitment will help strengthen systems to improve health outcomes across resource-limited areas in India

GENEVA, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During the World Health Assembly today, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced it will donate $6.5 million to the United States Fund for UNICEF to expand UNICEF's work to improve the health outcomes of millions of children and youth at risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) living in resource-limited settings in India. This will bring the company's total commitment since 2022 to more than $20 million. 

With this additional funding, UNICEF will seek to improve efforts to address NCD risk factors, strengthen health systems, enhance the ability of health workers to care for people and support millions of children and their families challenged by diseases like type 1 diabetes, respiratory illnesses, rheumatic and congenital heart disease, and sickle cell disease in resource-limited areas in India. 

"UNICEF will work with governments and partners to strengthen health systems to effectively manage NCDs in children and young people. This will help integrate efforts into maternal, newborn, and child health programs, emphasizing prevention and management of childhood NCDs," says Luigi D'Aquino, chief of health, UNICEF India.

Noncommunicable diseases place a significant burden on economies while being closely linked to poverty, poor social and economic development, and other inequities. This burden is disproportionately felt by low-income countries, communities, and the most vulnerable people, including children and adolescents. Childhood NCDs can have substantial, lifelong implications for children and their families, including disabilities, chronic pain and reduced quality of life.

According to the World Health Organization's NCD database, in 2019, NCDs accounted for 66% of all deaths in India, 22% of which were premature. Average life expectancy is 70.79 years in India, slightly less than the world average of 73.40 years. Seventy percent of the preventable adult deaths from NCDs are linked to risk factors that start in adolescence, providing a key opportunity for prevention. 

"UNICEF and Lilly share a similar goal – to make life better for millions of people around the world," said Lilly's Head of Social Impact, Cynthia Cardona. "These efforts are critical to working towards changing the global landscape of NCDs and improving health outcomes for children and adolescents living in resource-limited areas in India."

In 2022, UNICEF launched an initiative in Bangladesh, Malawi, Nepal, the Philippines and Zimbabwe with support from Lilly's $14.4 million contribution to the United States Fund for UNICEF, enabling it to focus on NCD prevention, detection, treatment and support in these countries. Since then, UNICEF has screened hundreds of children for NCDs, trained more than 2,000 health workers, and reached more than 350,000 families with awareness messages on NCD prevention.

UNICEF aims to improve health outcomes for millions of children and adolescents living in resource-limited areas in India by 2030, working towards ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, which is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Lilly's support aligns with its Lilly 30x30 initiative to improve access to quality health care for 30 million people in resource-limited settings annually by 2030. 

About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. 

Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook. 

UNICEF does not endorse any company brand, product or service. 

About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. I-LLY

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). For further discussion of risks and uncertainties of the company, see Lilly's most recent respective Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

Refer to:	Carrie Munk, munk_carrie@lilly.com
	Lukas Clark-Memler, lclarkmemler@unicef.org

 

 

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

FAQ

What is the amount of Eli Lilly's latest donation to UNICEF?

Eli Lilly announced a $6.5 million donation to UNICEF.

What is the total amount Eli Lilly has donated to UNICEF since 2022?

Eli Lilly has donated over $20 million to UNICEF since 2022.

Which diseases are targeted by Lilly's donation to UNICEF?

The donation targets diseases like type 1 diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and heart diseases.

What is the goal of UNICEF and Lilly's initiative in India?

The goal is to improve health outcomes for children and youth at risk of noncommunicable diseases in resource- areas.

How does Lilly's donation align with its 30x30 initiative?

Lilly's donation supports its 30x30 initiative to improve healthcare for 30 million people in resource- settings by 2030.

What was the impact of Lilly's previous donation to UNICEF in other countries?

The previous donation helped train over 2,000 health workers and reached more than 350,000 families with awareness messages on NCD prevention.