About Ignite
Global health solutions making a difference
What is Ignite?
Founded at William & Mary in 2019, Ignite operates from the Global Research Institute. Our focus is on collaborating with policymakers who allocate limited public health resources like vaccines and malaria bed nets. By integrating community partners and using data from fields like public health, economics, and geography, our approach enhances decision-making, prioritizing where resources are most vital. This methodology provides a roadmap for streamlined decision-making, leading to improved health outcomes. While Ignite might not directly influence the overall funds governments and large foundations allocate to global health, our goal is to ensure every dollar spent has a meaningful impact. Our research demonstrates how each dollar can save more lives, even without changing the total amount.
Our impact is supported by funding from significant organizations including the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Pediatric Project, and the Global Research Institute. As Ignite continues to make a positive global contribution, we remain committed to optimizing the use of available resources for maximum impact.
Who can benefit from Ignite?
Strategically targeting global health resources benefits a wide range of stakeholders. It improves healthcare and disease prevention for communities and vulnerable populations, while enabling health organizations to provide better care tailored to people's needs. Governments and decision-makers can allocate funds more effectively, donors witness tangible impacts from their contributions, and researchers gain valuable insights. NGOs can optimize their efforts, students find practical applications for their studies, and international health organizations can guide initiatives based on evidence.
We strategically collaborate with organizations, communities, students, and faculty, exploring questions like: How do health investment locations affect malaria services in Malawi? What's the geospatial impact of bednet campaigns on child mortality? Overall, this approach benefits individuals, groups, and healthcare policies.
What makes Ignite unique?
Making a population healthier isn't straightforward. It's messy and doesn't follow a straight path, especially when global health resources are limited. Ignite tackles global health challenges in a new way.
We work closely with organizations, communities, students, and teachers to bridge the gap between what we know from data and what actually gets done. We also know that solving big health issues requires input from different fields like public health, economics, geography, and political science.
By using this approach, our work we create a road map for decision makers in areas where resources are tight. This way, we can tackle tough health questions more effectively.