Image by Katie Rainbow 🏳️‍🌈

Our Approach

The Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania is a social innovation hub where evidence-based strategies and cutting-edge scientific discoveries are shaped into projects focused on improving LGBT+ people’s health and well-being.

Eidos is the first academic-led initiative focused on creating impact in LGBTQ+ health through a social entrepreneurship approach. 

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  • Design innovative projects with dedicated scientific, technical, and programmatic resources geared towards our improving the health of LGBTQ+ communities.

  • Create a unifying place for scientific discovery and refinement through interdisciplinary science focused on LGBTQ+ health at Penn.

  • Advance translational science, particularly in understudied or underfunded areas of LGBTQ+ health.

  • Coordinate the dissemination of programs that reach LGBTQ+ people and communities through connections to existing health systems, non-profit agencies, and private partners.

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Guiding Principles

Image by Tim Mossholder

Equity

We are committed to addressing the root causes of LGBTQ+ health inequities across gender and sexuality, age, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and background.

Sharing Ideas

Shared Learning

We value opportunities to co-learn through interdisciplinary thinking, rigorous research, and community experiences.

Image by Malcolm Lightbody

Engagement

We partner with diverse experts and stakeholders to strengthen our potential to effect change in the lives of LGBTQ+ communities.

Image by Mirza Babic

Transformation

We believe in testing high risk, high reward ideas with the potential to improve LGBTQ+ health through iterative, innovative cycles anchored in design thinking principles.

Pride Parade

Responsiveness

We design, evaluate, and launch evidence-based programs alongside public and private partners to ensure their reach, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.