Toyota's Way Forward Fund Announces Grants to Advance Pediatric Research, Care

Rhea-AI Summary

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has announced the recipients of grants through its Way Forward Fund, aimed at enhancing access to care and injury recovery support for children with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The grants will support various organizations specializing in pediatric care and align with the three focus areas of the Fund. The initiative aims to address gaps in TBI funding for children, improve healthcare access for underserved groups, develop digital platforms for remote TBI treatment, and create a nationwide dashboard monitoring standards of care and impact of pediatric TBI.

Insights

Healthcare Policy Analyst

The recent grant awards from Toyota Motor North America's Way Forward Fund represent a strategic investment in the health sector, specifically targeting pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) care. This initiative may not directly impact Toyota's core automotive business, but it reflects a growing corporate trend towards social responsibility investments. Such actions can indirectly influence investor perception and customer loyalty by showcasing a company's commitment to community health and well-being.

From a healthcare policy perspective, the investment in TBI care addresses a critical gap in pediatric health services. The focus on underserved groups aligns with broader societal movements towards health equity, potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs and improving population health outcomes. Moreover, the development of digital platforms for remote healthcare services can lead to innovation in telemedicine, which has seen accelerated growth due to the pandemic.

The creation of a nationwide dashboard for monitoring pediatric TBI standards of care could set a new benchmark for healthcare transparency and quality assurance. This could influence policy decisions and resource allocation within the healthcare sector, benefiting stakeholders such as patients, healthcare providers and insurers.

Medical Research Analyst

The Way Forward Fund's grants are poised to catalyze advancements in TBI research and treatment, especially for children. Considering that TBI is a leading cause of disability and mortality in children, the funding could significantly contribute to the development of specialized care models and prevention programs. The investment in research initiatives like the TBI SOS 4 Kids Model and the Community Paramedicine Program indicates a shift towards evidence-based interventions that can be scaled and replicated.

Furthermore, the integration of digital health tools, such as the MiCare Assistant Platform, reflects an increasing trend in personalized medicine and patient-centered care. These tools can improve patient outcomes by providing more timely and accurate diagnoses, as well as tailored treatment plans. Additionally, the use of digital platforms for TBI treatment aligns with the broader digital transformation in healthcare, which is a key area for innovation and investment.

Social Innovation Expert

Toyota's Way Forward Fund is a notable example of corporate social innovation, leveraging the company's resources to address societal challenges beyond its direct business interests. By focusing on TBI, a condition that requires long-term, multifaceted care, Toyota is acknowledging the complex nature of social issues and the need for sustainable, community-based solutions.

The emphasis on creating mobility for all, a core tenet of Toyota's mission, extends beyond physical transportation to encompass health mobility—improving access to care and recovery support. This holistic approach to mobility can enhance the company's reputation as a socially responsible entity, potentially impacting consumer trust and brand value. The Fund's community-based approach, which includes engaging local centers and developing technology solutions, can serve as a model for other corporations looking to engage in social innovation.

• Organizations selected encompass the three key Fund focus areas
• Grants support Traumatic Brain Injury care community, address gaps
• Texas, Michigan are initial areas for transformative model

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announces the awardees of grants through its Way Forward Fund, a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening access to care and injury recovery support for individuals and their families, with an initial focus on children with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The grant awards will go to:

• The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training from University of Oregon: TBI SOS 4 Kids Model
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Minds Matter Concussion-Aware School Model
• Cincinnati Children's, Integrating TOPS with MeHealth for TBI
• National Association of State Head Injury Administrators: Concussion Navigator Program
• The Shaken Baby Alliance: COPE Child Abuse Prevention Program
• TBI Warrior® Foundation
• The University of Texas at Austin: National Pediatric Readiness Quality Initiative Dashboard
• University of Michigan: MiCare Assistant Platform
• Yale School of Medicine: Community Paramedicine Program
• Youth World

"The organizations represented in this year's grantees, illustrates the variety of ways our communities can care for the health of children," said Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation, Toyota. "The Way Forward Fund helps the company realize its vision of creating mobility for all by implementing the Toyota Way values of continuous improvement and respect for people."

As part of its commitment to sustainable programs with long-term impact, through the Way Forward Fund, Toyota is investing in and partnering with the TBI care community, to address gaps in TBI funding for children, support health equity and strengthen the recovery journey for kids, families and caregivers.

The organizations selected for funding have specialties in pediatric care, and their programs align with the three key focus areas of the Fund this year:

1) Improving healthcare access for underserved groups by engaging community centers focused on TBI and mental health in children;

2) Supporting development of digital platforms to broaden access to TBI treatment through remote healthcare; and

3) Creating a nationwide dashboard monitoring standards of care and impact of pediatric TBI.

The recipients will use the grants to advance pediatric TBI care in their areas of specialties.

"Through a community-based approach to care, the Way Forward Fund leverages Toyota's partnerships, know-how, support and connections to drive new ideas," said Douglas Moore, executive director, Way Forward Fund.

This is the second round of grants awarded through the Way Forward Fund. More than $8 million in grants was made available to the selected institutions, with an emphasis on raising quality of healthcare in communities with the greatest need.

According to National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI is a major pediatric health condition that is often under-recognized, and urgent and long-term care are often under-resourced.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota's 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Media Contact:
Amanda Roark
Amanda.Roark@toyota.com 

 

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

FAQ

What is the Way Forward Fund?

The Way Forward Fund is a multi-year initiative by Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) aimed at enhancing access to care and injury recovery support for children with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

What are the initial focus areas of the Fund?

The initial focus areas of the Fund include improving healthcare access for underserved groups, supporting development of digital platforms for remote TBI treatment, and creating a nationwide dashboard monitoring standards of care and impact of pediatric TBI.

What organizations have received grants?

The organizations receiving grants include The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training from University of Oregon, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Cincinnati Children's, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators, The Shaken Baby Alliance, TBI Warrior® Foundation, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Michigan, Yale School of Medicine, and Youth World.

How much funding was made available to the selected institutions?

More than $8 million in grants was made available to the selected institutions.

What are the three key focus areas of the Fund this year?

The three key focus areas of the Fund this year are improving healthcare access for underserved groups, supporting development of digital platforms for remote TBI treatment, and creating a nationwide dashboard monitoring standards of care and impact of pediatric TBI.