Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest in a series of emergencies related to infectious diseases, including cholera, Ebola, SARS, Chikungunya, HIV / AIDS and influenza. While scientists and drug developers, with the support of governments and multilateral organizations, have rushed to produce, test and supply vaccines and treatments, technological innovators also have a crucial role to play, in the short term and to prevent and mitigate future illnesses. homes.

In the short term, we need improved prevention, accurate detection and rapid response solutions. MIT Solve is looking for technological innovations that can slow and follow the spread of an emerging epidemic, for example by improving personal hygiene, developing rapid diagnostics at low cost, analyzing data that inform decision-making and providing tools that support and protect health workers.

At the same time, we cannot just react to outbreaks reactively. Climate change and globalization make us increasingly vulnerable to future epidemics and pandemics, and it is essential to prepare for it. Solve is also looking for solutions focused on prevention and mitigation measures that increase access to affordable primary health care systems, improve disease surveillance systems and improve health care supply chains.

We need your help:

• If you have a solution, we want you to  apply  .
• If you can help us fund a prize for the selected solver teams, please contact Hala Hanna at  hala@solve.mit.edu  .
• You can also donate  here  – all funds raised will support the Challenge.  
• If you can partner with us in other ways, please let us know  here  . 

For more details on the funding of the solver, the prices and the eligibility to the partnership for the challenge of health security and pandemics, visit the   Prizes tab  .