EnterpriseWorks/VITA has launched World HealthWorks (WHW), a for-profit company specializing in the marketing and distribution of health-related products to low-income consumers in emerging economies. WHW aims not only to ensure substantial financial returns for its shareholders and partners, but also to achieve significant health and economic gains for its consumer clients.

EWV conceived the model based on its 40 years of experience working with emerging market private businesses and entrepreneurs to implement market-based business solutions. The organization’s extensive experience serving households that earn US$1.50-$5.00 per day will enable World HealthWorks to excel at developing demand-driven products at affordable cost and forging the partnerships necessary for their successful sale and distribution.

World HealthWorks will begin operations in India and the three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Based on demonstrated demand and extensive research and development, WHW has selected household water filters and reading glasses as its initial product offerings.

Water Filters
More than one billion people around the world still lack access to clean drinking water. Unsafe water results in health problems that lessen productivity, increase debt, and cause death. It is estimated that 80% of all illnesses among low-income populations in the developing world are waterborne. In response to this huge market demand, WHW has introduced a low-cost, highly effective household water filter, named CrystalPur™. This filter removes virtually 100% of all waterborne contaminants and is extremely affordable at US$7-$10 retail, which is up to 75% less than competing filter products.

Reading Glasses
Presbyopia, a common health problem that causes blurry close-up vision, is a considerable economic detriment by reducing an individual’s ability to perform close-up and detailed work. Despite the importance of reading glasses to productivity and economic wellbeing, low-income consumers rarely have access to them and struggle to afford their high cost. To meet this demand, WHW is introducing high quality reading glasses constructed from durable plastic that retail for about $1.50. Customers additionally save by avoiding an expensive trip to the eye-doctor. The reading glasses are sold through local basic-goods stores, where clients test different strengths against an eye chart and self-select a pre-made pair of their liking.