The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. They work with their partners to strengthen the capabilities of governments and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without their assistance.

CHAI was founded in 2002 with a transformational goal: help save the lives of millions of people living with HIV/AIDS. Today, along with HIV, they work with partners to prevent and treat malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cancer, accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal, infant and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and strengthen health systems. They operate in over 30 countries around the world and more than 80 countries have access to CHAI-negotiated deals on medications, diagnostics, vaccines, and other health tools.

Their programs aim to save lives and reduce disease, while helping governments create sustainable health systems. They operate 11 programs across four health areas, with a global team of science, business and technical experts supporting the entire organization. 

Infectious Diseases: Four infectious diseases cause the majority of deaths in low- and middle-income countries around the world. CHAI has built on the expertise of staff and the on-the-ground experience developed with their HIV work, to address each of these diseases, in partnership with governments, donors, and other key stakeholders.

Women and Children's Health: Women and children suffer the greatest burden from disease globally. CHAI has significantly increased access to recommended treatments for diarrhea and pneumonia, the largest killers of children under five; made critical vaccines that protect against childhood illnesses more affordable; is combating chronic malnutrition; and is dramatically and sustainably reducing maternal and newborn deaths and ensuring that women have access to the tools they need to safely plan their families to improve health outcomes and economic well-being.

Universal Health Coverage: CHAI’s founding mission and ultimate goal is to help countries create high-quality, sustainable health care systems that provide universal health coverage for all people. To achieve this, they work with governments to strengthen national financing systems, including establishing national health insurance plans, that can be sustained for years to come. They also help develop systems to educate healthcare professionals at all levels and to build sufficient physical infrastructure to deliver health services.

Non-Communicable Diseases: Each year, 15 million people die from non-communicable diseases between the ages of 30 and 69. Over 85 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular diseases account for the most deaths, followed by cancers, respiratory diseases and diabetes. CHAI recently began work in this area with the launch of their cancer program in 2015. Cancer is a growing issue in sub-Saharan Africa, where incidence is projected to increase by 85 percent in the next 15 years. CHAI is working with the American Cancer Society to lower the cost of lifesaving chemotherapies, increase access to diagnosis and treatment, and help governments develop plans to comprehensively manage the disease.

Cross-Cutting Experts: CHAI works with governments and companies around the world to fundamentally change the economics of global health. Using a holistic, business-minded approach to secure lower prices for key commodities such as medication and diagnostics, improve laboratories, and connect decision-makers with the high-quality evidence they need to inform health policy, CHAI helps patients in low- and middle-income countries access the care and treatment they need. Their science and business experts work across the organization to support their program and country teams.