Inspiring the Next Generation Through Health Equity Innovation
This September, MSD UK’s LEAD (League of Employees of African Descent) network joined forces with Eli Lilly’s embRACE network to host the annual Health Equity Hackathon, bringing together students, industry professionals and volunteers for a day focused on tackling some of the most pressing health equity challenges facing society. Following a competitive selection process, 65 students from a wide range of academic backgrounds were chosen to participate in the event.
Health equity is about ensuring that everyone has a fair and equitable opportunity to live a healthy life. Achieving this requires addressing the social, economic and structural factors that can influence health outcomes, so that a person’s background, ethnicity, location, income or lived experience does not determine their health prospects. Throughout the Hackathon, students were challenged to think creatively about how these barriers can be addressed through innovative and practical solutions.
Hosted in London, the event featured a full day of collaborative problem-solving, with students working in teams alongside MSD and Lilly facilitators and industry professionals. Participants explored real-world health equity challenges before developing and refining their ideas, ultimately presenting their solutions to senior leaders and judges from both organisations. The winning team was recognised for delivering an innovative, practical and patient-focused solution.
Beyond the competition itself, the Hackathon provided a valuable opportunity for students to gain first-hand insight into the pharmaceutical industry. Through networking sessions, career conversations and interactions with colleagues from across MSD and Lilly, participants learned more about the wide range of career paths available within the sector and the role that collaboration plays in improving patient outcomes.
The enthusiasm, innovation and teamwork shown throughout the day left a lasting impression on organisers, volunteers and students alike. In a message following the event, the organising team highlighted the passion, collaboration and commitment demonstrated by participants, noting the positive feedback received from students and the collective effort that made the Hackathon possible. The event was supported by volunteers from across both MSD and Lilly, whose contributions helped create an inspiring and memorable experience for everyone involved.
The winning team addressed the challenge of improving access to cardiovascular disease (CVD) testing in communities most at risk. Their solution proposed a network of accessible community-based CVD testing and education kiosks, designed to bring preventative healthcare closer to underserved populations, increase awareness of cardiovascular risk factors and empower individuals with the information needed to make informed decisions about their health. The idea impressed judges with its patient-focused, inclusive and practical approach to tackling health inequalities, demonstrating how innovative thinking can help improve access to care and support better health outcomes.
GB-NON-13702 | October 2026