Insights & Trends

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Paul Venturino, executive director Strategika -a GHMC partner-

Sebastián Goldsack, PhD, professor at the Faculty of Communications of Universidad de los Andes, Chile.

Although the concept of responsible investment has been used for approximately 60 years, only recently have standards been established. The climate crisis has accelerated the need for implementing new strategies to address rapid global and technological changes. We refer to these new standards as ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) principles.

There were two key milestones in the ESG evolution. The first was the creation of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index in 1999, a stock index focused on sustainable investments which allowed for broader financing options. The second, much more recent, was the UN Global Compact of the Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI, 2023).

One of the key elements of responsible investment is active incorporation of ESG criteria. This implies everyone in the chain (organization, shareholders, financiers, management) must adhere to rules and be proactive agents of mobilization.

ESG criteria is based on three pillars:

  • Environment: Refers to the environmental impact of an organization and the activities to reduce it, especially in areas such as emissions, waste or use of natural resources.
  • Social: Refers to the management of people in the workplace and the community in various aspects such as human rights, gender, inclusion.
  • Governance: The way in which corporations or institutions are organized. The key is respect for rules and transparency.

As with any regulatory change, responsible investment has also been strongly pressured by changes in production conditions, stricter regulations and strong activism. ESG criteria seeks to respond to scenarios with measures that allow us to face challenges while maintaining profitability (Shakil, 2021).

With this in mind, we interviewed key executives from Chilean and multinational corporations operating in Chile to learn the latest trends and challenges in responsible investment and ESG.

Key trends:

  1. Investors—especially investors in international companies—are driving the movement for responsible investment by pressuring these organizations to incorporate ESG criteria.
  2. ESG criteria are beginning to include the full value chain, transferring good practices to all steps of a company’s operation.
  3. Although incipient in Chile, there is pressure to achieve higher diversity on boards (gender, class, race/ethnicity, professional backgrounds).
  4. There is a movement toward clear and effective tools to guide compliance and measure accountability. Regulations can help ensure higher ethical standards across industries.
  5. A diverse, inclusive workforce with a safe workplace environment is positive for workers and business alike.
  6. Companies are now more motivated to seek new ways of doing business and transforming their forms of production, in order to maintain profitability.
  7. Climate change mitigation is seen as a strategic pillar of a company’s ways of doing business.
  8. The traditional way companies engage with interest groups (advocacy groups, etc.) is evolving to include new ways of working.

In addition to these positive trends, come challenges. The biggest challenges relate to the speed of adoption of these practices, and whether they can generate profitability.

Challenges to be addressed in the short term

  1. A move from tactical actions and rankings to a genuine modification of the ways of doing business and the governance structure at a high level.
  2. Convince executive boards of the importance of ESG trends and responsible investment criteria.
  3. Strengthen the ethics of executives.
  4. Raise standards in industries and ensure all companies adopt ESG.
  5. Improve the legislation applied and the bureaucracy of the authorities.

EXECUTIVES INTERVIEWED FOR THIS INVESTIGATION

  • Kelly, Conrod, Managing Director MSD Chile
  • Margozzini, José, Gerente general TEG Chile
  • Orrego, Carolina, gerente de asuntos corporativos y cumplimiento Empresas Melón
  • Pinto, Patricio, gerente de asuntos corporativos Minera Los Pelambres
  • Vergara, Ana Luisa, subgerenta de sostenibilidad corporativa Colbún
  • Vilches, Javier, gerente general Grupo Eulen Chile
  • Wood, Alejandra, directora Codelco

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Featured on-air and online, a focus of this year’s global campaign will be to encourage youth to donate blood and inspire others to do the same.

NEW YORK and MILAN, June 10, 2021 – GLOBALHealthPR, the largest independent health and science communications agency partnership worldwide, is thrilled to announce today that its Italy partner office, Connexia, has been named the official global creative agency for World Blood Donor Day 2021 (WBDD), working on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) and key Italian public health stakeholders including the Ministry of Health.

World Blood Donor Day was established in 2005 to raise awareness of the importance of regular blood donations. In particular, this year’s WBDD targets young people (ages 18-25 years) and focuses on the essential contribution this generation can make by saving and improving lives with their donations.

The WHO selected Italy to host this year’s World Blood Donor Day Global Event in Rome from June 14-15. The two-day event will feature a series of special initiatives promoted by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Blood Center (CNS) and donor associations. The inauguration of the Virtual Donors’ Village, a digital space for meetings, scientific symposia and information, aims to raise awareness and provide information on the importance of voluntary donation. A virtual concert will also be held on June 14, featuring Indonesian singer-songwriter Anggun and other special guests. 

Connexia created the concepts for the integrated campaign, developed a communication strategy and deployed all assets on a global level. The slogan for this year, Give Blood and Keep the World Beating, plays on the word “beating,” linking heartbeats and sound rhythms while speaking to the international and intergenerational language of music.

The campaign also features a 30-second film that uses animation to depict the extraordinary journey of a bag of blood — from the donor to the patient receiving it. The act of donating triggers a rhythm and a visual narrative that comes to life through the drawings of international illustrator Margherita Premuroso.

This digital short, available on-air in a 30-second format on all Italian television programming RAI channels, will also be available in a 40-second version that will be released on the official channels of the WHO, Ministry of Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità and Italian donor associations.

“For me, donating blood is an extraordinary act that helps the health service to function effectively every day, ensuring that it is fit for its purpose,” explains Minister of Health Roberto Speranza in a video-message focused on health. “Italy is striving to invest [in this cause] with all its energy, but we need more and more people to do their part: we need women and men who are prepared to devote a little of their time and give a little of their blood to a cause that is just and important. We will work hard to organize our networks as best we can, but we clearly need the consent and support of many other people. I would like to thank everyone who has decided to donate blood, because it is a compassionate and wonderful act that really helps our National Health Service to function. And I also want to express my gratitude to all those who will be working hard over the next two days and weeks to ensure that this event will once again send out a positive message of revival and strength to our National Health Service.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, the National Blood Center and donor associations for World Blood Donor Day 2021,” remarked Paolo d’Ammassa, CEO & Founding Partner of Connexia. “The campaign that we have created for the occasion, which will be featured on television networks and social media, aims to reach a worldwide audience made up primarily of young people, whose donations are increasingly crucial but experiencing a steady decline. In order to convey such an essential and vital message in a language that speaks to young people, we chose a direct creative approach, combining the simplicity of drawings with the rhythm of music.”

“Never before has the importance of communication in promoting basic health practices — from proper hand washing to the usefulness of vaccinations — been more apparent than during the pandemic. Effective communication can make a difference and save lives, as it has continued to do during the COVID-19 emergency. The video made for World Blood Donor Day is a perfect example of how to make difficult messages — which can struggle to “hit home” and raise awareness among certain categories of people — more engaging,” explains Vincenzo De Angelis, CNS Director. “The campaign is truly global: it is aimed at citizens of all countries and all ages. The video, like the other materials produced, has managed to strike a universal key that we hope will bring the world of donation closer to those who are not normally interested in this type of message, such as young people.”

“I am delighted to see young people at the center of World Blood Donor Day this year,” noted Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Our young people have suffered in particular during this pandemic, but they have also shown extraordinary resilience and adaptability. Many of the world’s blood donors are young and it is time for their vital contribution to health and to the community at large to be recognized: by donating blood, young people can save lives. So, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the young blood donors of today and tomorrow. Give Blood and Keep the World Beating!”

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About Connexia
Communicate, Connect, Engage: Connexia is a fully integrated, data-driven, marketing and communications agency based in Milan. For more than 20 years Connexia has been considered the leading PR, digital, social and mobile agency in Italy, thanks to a strategy-first approach that allows us to activate across media types. Through a combination of passion, strong expertise and creative strategic thinking, Connexia partners with top companies across the globe to strengthen their positioning and to bolster their visibility. For more information, visit www.connexia.com/company/ or follow @connexia on Twitter.

About GLOBALHealthPR®
GLOBALHealthPR is a partnership of independently owned and operated health and science communications agencies that choose to work together based on common values. With more than 700 health-specialist communications professionals, researchers and medical advisors on staff serving more than 200 organizations globally, the agencies that make up the partnership share a belief in insights-driven strategies and a commitment to collaboration in order to provide clients the best possible counsel and execution. GLOBALHealthPR’s presence spans more than 60 countries, covering Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.globalhealthpr.com or follow @GLOBALHealthPR on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Vaccines are widely considered among the most significant medical achievements in global health, saving an estimated 2-3 million lives annually. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine education and uptake is crucial. To show their support for WHO’s 2021 World Immunization Week, many of our GLOBALHealthPR partners have created an array of communications initiatives, campaigns and expert analyses to drive broad adoption in their countries and around the world.

This page will be updated on an ongoing basis

Argentina, Paradigma PEL Comunicación – Semana de Vacunación de las Américas (Vaccination Week in the Americas)

In support of the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) annual Vaccination Week in the Americas, Paradigma has launched a social media campaign providing facts and figures in support of vaccine uptake. Check out their Twitter and Instagram feeds for daily posts.

Australia, VIVA!- Lack of access to COVID-19 vaccine threatening global immunity

Last week, VIVA! partnered with the Immunisation Coalition and UNICEF Australia in a bid to unite developing nations through vaccinations. Many of us in high income countries can now access free COVID-19 vaccinations, however, lower income countries are yet to receive a single dose. A global pandemic requires a global response, so in the interest of promoting community immunity, we need to ensure all countries have COVID-19 vaccine access.

Canada, energi PR- Oh Canada. Our Vaccination Response May be Too Little, but Hopefully Not Too Late

When it comes to the best places to live in the world, many Canadian cities rank high on the livability index. Canada’s healthcare system is also praised around the world. Why, then, are citizens struggling to get vaccinated to protect them against COVID-19? PR Co-Founder & CEO Carol Levine provides expert insight into the state of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, diving into the reasoning behind why only 21.84% of Canadians have received one of the two dose vaccines currently approved in the country- Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca and COVESHEILD.

Mexico, PRP- Vacunación contra COVID-19 en México: Análisis de la Conversación Digital (COVID-19 vaccination in Mexico: Digital Analysis) [in Spanish]

Mexican health authorities have encouraged vaccine uptake since the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out plan was announced in Mexico in December 2020. PRP conducted an analysis of approximately 500,000 social posts which revealed that nearly 50% of these users displayed concerns about which biological product was the most effective and transparency surrounding the vaccination process, while 30% felt that the government was not meeting vaccination deadlines and was using the plan as a front for political purposes. However, an estimated 20% of these posts become more positive once a user had received the vaccine or had a close family member who had been vaccinated.

Singapore, Spurwing Communications- Vaccines and Preventable Diseases

For the last two centuries, vaccines have protected us against diseases that threaten lives and limit human potential. Currently, 17 dangerous and deadly diseases are preventable through the help of vaccines, saving the lives of millions globally. While it will be some time before the whole world is immunized against COVID-19, we can support vaccine efforts by building solidarity and trust in vaccinations as a public good that saves lives and protects health – working towards a world where we can be together again.

Spain, Berbés- Las vacunas nos acercan (Vaccines bring us closer) [in Spanish]

Google trends have revealed that vaccines have dominated the public’s interest. In fact, since March 2020, searches for the term “vaccines” has increased by approximately 1000%.

United Kingdom, Aurora- Science makes vaccines possible. We make their use real

There is a lack of trust in vaccines by the public, in part due to myth and misinformation spread in all forms of media. This makes vaccine education more important than ever. Inspired by Pfizer and BioNTech’s recent campaign, #becauseofthis, Aurora asked their colleagues who have received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to share what they are most looking forward to being able to do once they are fully vaccinated.

Europe– The Importance of Vaccines: Perspectives From Our Partners in Europe

Our partners in Europe share their insights and perspectives on why vaccines are critical to fighting diseases and why vaccine education can help limit the spread of misinformation.

United States, Spectrum Science- Voyage of a Vaccine

As an agency hyper-focused on science, Spectrum uses their expertise and science-telling capabilities to chronicle the voyage of a vaccine, driving awareness and education around the more nuanced components of the story.

Additional Expert Analysis:

“Achieving Global ImmUNITY,” by Tim Goddard, GLOBALHealthPR at Spectrum

“Vaccination in Latin America: The Delicate Balance Between Informing and Alarming,” by Ma. Eugenia De la Fuente, Paradigma PEL Comunicación

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GLOBALHealthPR partner Aurora hosts webinar with leading industry experts 

 As one of the countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the United Kingdom has seen its challenges related to health system response. With this as the backdrop, GLOBALHealthPR’s UK partner and European Hub, Aurora, recently convened a ground-breaking panel discussion to explore the strategic and ethical challenges of rebuilding a health service that is innovative, affordable, effective and, crucially, prepared for the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.

Aurora joined forces with ‘slow news’ website Tortoise in the first partnership of its kind: Tortoise’s journalists focus on exploring bigger issues in real depth, rather than competing for attention in the 24-hour news cycle. The webinar featured a stellar line-up of health experts: Dame Donna Kinnair, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing; Sir David Nicholson, former Chief Executive of NHS England; and Dr. Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

The perspectives and opportunities discussed share broad applicability beyond Britain’s borders. Amid ever-increasing pressure on the health system, there was consensus on the benefits of an integrated healthcare model that is patient-centric, appropriately staffed, embraces collaboration, and is adaptable to new innovations and digital solutions.

Below, we summarise key takeaways from the webinar:

  • Pharma is stepping up to the challenge. Dr. Richard Torbett emphasized that roughly three quarters of the 120 different COVID-19 vaccines investigated around the world are being led by the pharma industry. Further, every vaccine candidate will require pharma support to manufacture at scale and distribute globally.
  • Necessity forces long-overdue changes. In light of the pandemic, innovative care delivery models are being adopted in the UK and beyond. Countries around the world are trying to create health systems that support patients who take responsibility for their health, while reducing unnecessary face-to-face contact and appointments where appropriate – primarily enabled through digital channels.
  • Investing in healthcare can drive economic growth and better health outcomes. Sir David Nicholson noted that health expenditure can have a significant impact on the economy and population health outcomes. Healthier individuals can be more productive in the labour market, and there is a growing literature establishing the relationship between health system spending and health outcomes. For example, study data revealed that increases in health care expenditure decreased amendable mortality in 17 European countries between 1980 and 2010.
  • Healthcare systems must evolve to become patient-centric. To create a sustainable healthcare system, a patient’s specific health needs should be the driving force behind all healthcare decisions. Providers should treat patients not only from a clinical perspective, but also from an emotional, social, and financial perspective. Clear communication, understanding patients’ needs, and empathy are especially critical during COVID-19.

You can view the full discussion on Aurora’s campaign page.

Follow @GLOBALHealthPR on Twitter for additional perspectives on this and other timely global health issues. For more insights or communications support from our local experts, please contact GHPRHQ@globalhealthpr.com.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt worldwide. In response, many of our global partners—dedicated to improving and protecting health—have created initiatives and communications campaigns to curb the spread of misinformation, combat COVID-19 and help companies navigate challenges of the current environment.

This page will be updated on an ongoing basis. 

Australia, VIVA! Communications – COVID Comms Cast

VIVA!’s COVID Comms Cast is a strategic communications solution aiming to support the pharma and healthcare industry members and stakeholders during this unprecedented time. The initiative is comprised of senior, health-literate communicators well-versed in navigating issues and crisis-rich environments and offers support for identifying effective, authentic and accurate health-oriented messages, communication campaigns and collateral throughout COVID-19.

Brazil, Tino Comunicação – Por Dentro Do Coronavirus

Tino’s initiative features Brazilian doctor and journalist Luís Fernando Correia. In this partnership, Tino and Luís Fernando developed a channel geared towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and limiting the spread of misinformation in the country. The initiative’s website is integrated with the most popular and factual news sites in Brazil, including the Ministry of Health.

Germany, fischerAppelt – #Allefüralle

FischerAppelt helped launch a “Germany Against Corona” initiative at the beginning of the crisis to raise awareness of the security measures the country put in place to flatten the curve. Although the pandemic brings many challenges for the world to face, everyone can actively contribute to overcoming them. The campaign encourages individuals to use the hashtag #allforall on social media, hopefully motivating others to keep the necessary safety distance in public spaces.

Italy, Connexia – Communication Compass

Connexia confirmed its concrete commitment during the pandemic by launching a Communication Compass dashboard. The dashboard can be used to monitor solidarity between companies during the emergency—it integrates an international map of all communication initiatives implemented in response to the pandemic, collecting global campaigns with a COVID-19 lens.

Mexico, PRP Mexico – #YoEnCasa

In partnership with the Communication and Advertising association in Mexico, PRP worked to develop a campaign encouraging people to stay at home. The campaign began before official lockdown orders were in place in the region and continues to spread positive messaging around social distancing.

Portugal, Guess What PR – #AMARCADOSHERÓIS

To bring awareness to the unseen struggles that many doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are enduring during this pandemic, Guess What created a campaign that focuses on making those challenges visible. On healthcare workers faces you can see the exhaustion and creases of the masks that serve as their armor after long shifts. With a marker, pencil or ink pen, Guess What wants people to write #AMARCADOSHERÓIS on their faces and share the images on their social channels, so that those who are sacrificing their lives to help are not forgotten.

South Africa, F/NE Group – F/NE For Good

Earlier this year, the F/NE Group launched an initiative geared towards using communications to help nonprofits. When the COVID-19 pandemic reached their country, they decided to use their platform and develop additional resources for NGOs in need of COVID-19 communication.

United States, Spectrum Science – #BeatTheSit

As an agency focused on connecting humankind to its best healthlife, Spectrum Science wanted to develop a call to action that communicates the urgency around staying home and the criticality of “out-sitting” of events. “Beat the Sit Out of COVID-19” encourages people to share how they’re sitting out on social media, using the #BeatTheSit hashtag.

Additional Expert Analysis:

We Work. Together. Our slogan is a constant reminder on how we can collaborate for the greater good of global health—and together, we can work to fight COVID-19 and save millions of lives.

Read the latest Digital Dose for additional perspectives on this and the communications industry. For more insights or communications support from our local experts, please contact GHPRHQ@globalhealthpr.com.

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Differences provide window of insight into populations and nuances across Scandinavia

To outsiders, Denmark and Sweden are often seen as one in the same due in large part to their cultural similarities and geographic proximity. After all, in approximately ten minutes you can drive from Denmark to Sweden by crossing the famous Øresund Bridge. That said, the stark contrast in how these countries are working to contain the spread of COVID-19 has baffled experts around the world.

Unlike Denmark, which has placed lockdown restrictions similar to the rest of the world, Sweden has not closed its borders, public schools, or non-essential businesses. As noted in a recent New York Times report, “Sweden’s approach has raised questions about whether it’s gambling with a disease.” Why then are two seemingly similar countries taking vastly different approaches towards battling this pandemic, and which strategies appear to be the most effective thus far? Further, what can we as healthcare-focused communications, marketing and public affairs practitioners learn going forward?

Neighbors, but Opposite COVID-19 Approaches

Like Denmark and most countries across the globe, Sweden’s health officials have stressed safe hygiene practices, social distancing, and protecting older and vulnerable citizens. However, in Sweden, restaurants, playgrounds, gyms, malls, and most schools remain open (except for high schools, colleges and universities). Why is this the case?

One explanation comes from one of Sweden’s epidemiologists, who commented that “Sweden’s approach appeals to the public’s self-restraint and sense of responsibility. Our whole system for communicable disease control is based on voluntary action.”

In contrast, in Denmark all borders are closed, (except e.g. for workers commuting between the two countries) all non-essential public employees have been sent home with full pay, gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, and all schools were closed for five weeks. Most recently, Denmark has re-opened school and day care services for young children.

Additional reasons why these countries have taken different routes in containing the spread of COVID-19 also stem from geographic, demographic, environmental and governmental differences between Denmark and Sweden:

  • Size and population density: Sweden is approximately ten times larger in area than Denmark but only has 50 % more inhabitants. Therefore, while Denmark contains 136 inhabitants per square kilometer, Sweden only has 25 inhabitants per square kilometer. That could, in theory, make it harder for the virus to spread in Sweden than in Denmark.
  • Single vs. multi-generational households: Sweden has the highest number of single households in the world. Elsewhere in Europe, several generations of families live together, or younger people find it too expensive to live alone.
  • Holiday travel habits: In February, many Danes flocked to the ski slopes in Austria for winter holidays, despite its proximity to Italy where a known outbreak was occurring. On the other hand, many Swedes remained in Sweden to ski during their winter break.
  • Public authorities: The less radical measures taken against the virus in Sweden can be an expression of a more rational and scientific management of the crisis than in Denmark. The Swedish public authorities are empowered to make their strategy more guided by scientific reasons than by political considerations.

Impact on COVID-19 Outcomes

In both nations, hospitals are challenged but not overwhelmed, and neither has experienced the severe lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) that has been seen in the United States and elsewhere. As of 22 April, Sweden had reported 1,937 COVID-19 deaths from 16,004 cases (a roughly 12% fatality rate), while Denmark recorded 394 fatalities from 7,912 cases (4.8% death rate based on Johns Hopkins University statistics).

While Swedish officials do speak of a flattening of their curve due to its unique approach, the number of active cases remains on an upward trajectory. This contrasts with Denmark; whose curve is clearly in a downward trend.

We cannot definitively say that Sweden’s continued rise in cases was caused directly by its unique approach to coronavirus response. However, it is certain that here in Denmark, despite being a much more densely populated country with a smaller land mass, our authorities’ response measures have been fruitful.

Implications for Business and Communications

As the differences between country responses unfold, we here living in the Nordics continue to learn more about ourselves. In fact, these clear distinctions have surprised both experts and ordinary people. The case of the Nordic countries provides valuable insights into how two very similar countries, that are often grouped into the same geographic sub-region that is perceived to be largely homogenous, differ vastly with regard to crisis response, healthcare decision making, culture and demographics at large.

Further, the COVID-19 pandemic serves as an important and somber reminder that across industries, whether a startup or a multinational enterprise, there is no one-size-fits all approach to addressing regional healthcare issues. Nuance, local understanding, and flexibility must remain top-of-mind at all times.

About the Authors: Christian Juul Nyhus (DK) is Director and Karin Wieden (SWE) is Communications Advisor at GLOBALHealthPR Nordics partner, Effector.

Follow @GLOBALHealthPR on Twitter for additional perspectives on this and other timely global health issues. For more insights or communications support from our local experts, please contact GHPRHQ@globalhealthpr.com.