Using human-centered design to craft a program hypothesis statement that enables teams to keep the need, stakeholders, and context in mind when designing an innovation. This is a workshop was supposed to be presented at the Unite for Sight Global Health and Innovation Conference in 2022, but was interrupted due to a power failure. This work was created under a creative commons share-alike license, which means you can use this content as you see fit as long as you give credit to Spark Health Design. If you do use it, please send me a note about how it goes!

1. BRIDGING RESEARCH
AND ACTION
UNITE FOR SIGHT GLOBAL HEALTH AND
INNOVATION CONFERENCE, APRIL 2022
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters Spark HealthDesign
1 - Medical Devices
& Diagnostics
3 - Healthcare
Services & Awareness
for Families
4 - Infrastructure
(Buildings, Fixtures,
Power Systems)
Pick your working group
add your desired group number at
then end of your name in zoom
2 – Medical Staff
Education Programs

2. PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
PROGRAM GOALS
(ABSTRACT)
SOLUTIONS
(CONCRETE)
PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Thrive Networks
Spark HealthDesign

3. WORKSHOP
INTRO > ACTIVITY > SHARE
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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4. WORKSHOP
INTRO > ACTIVITY > SHARE
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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5. CC BY SA 4.0 Casey parttimewheeler.blogspot.com
https://www.idsa.org/
Eli Lilly Kwikpen Insulin Injector CC BY 2.0 2C2K Photography on flickr.com
CC BY SA 4.0 Kevin Kosbab
feeddog.blogspot.com
robitussin.com

6. Human-Centered Design for
Positive Health Outcomes
Photo CC by SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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7. Spark HealthDesign
COVID-19 OPEN-SOURCE FACE SHIELD
Photo © Jana Care 2019
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Lifebox
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
DIAGNOSTICS FOR CHRONIC DISEASE
LIGHTING FOR SAFE SURGERY
CC BY-SA 4.0 Center for Public Health and Development
OXYGEN THERAPY FOR PNEUMONIA

8. HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
Image Courtesy: Design Kit, IDEO.org
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9. HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
Image Courtesy: Linnes, Johansen & Kumar, Diagnostic Devices with Microfluidics, Ed. Piraino et al, 2017, ISBN 9781498772938 - CAT# K29532 Spark HealthDesign

10. CREATING AN HYPOTHESIS
IT’S A PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT
DAIRY FARMERS IN KENYA AND EAST AFRICA WITH
FEWER THAN 5 COWS
- NEED -
A <US$3 WHOLE BLOOD PROGESTERONE TEST
KIT THAT IS EASY FOR ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
TECHS TO USE ON THE FARM TO HELP IDENFITY
COWS READY FOR ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION,
DECREASING DRY TIME, AND ULTIMATELY
INCREASING FARMER INCOME.
Spark HealthDesign

11. + VIABILITY
(external)
MASSIVE
POSITIVE
IMPACT
CAPABILITY
(internal)
PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
IT’S ABOUT CAPABILITY AND VIABILITY
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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12.  NEED (WHY)
PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
START WITH A NEED IDENTIFIED BY A COMMUNITY
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Thrive Networks
Spark HealthDesign

13.  STAKEHOLDERS (WHO)
PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
IDENTIFY THE STAKEHOLDERS
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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14. CONTEXT (WHERE, WHEN, WHAT)

PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
IDENTIFY THE CONTEXTS
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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15. PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
IT LEAVES ROOM FOR CREATIVITY
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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16. X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
IT DEFINES WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matter
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17. PROGRAM HYPOTHESIS
IT’S EASY TO UPDATE AS YOU LEARN
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
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18. YOUR CHALLENGE
REDUCE DEATH & DISABILITY DUE TO NEWBORN
JAUNDICE IN SOUTH & SOUTHEAST ASIA
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Thrive Networks
Spark HealthDesign
1 - Medical Devices
& Diagnostics
3 - Healthcare
Services for Families
4 - Infrastructure (Buildings,
Fixtures, Power Systems)
Pick your working group
add your desired group number at
then end of your name in zoom
2 – Medical Staff
Education Programs

19. 10% OF NEWBORNS NEED P.T.
Photo Courtesy:Maisels MJ, McDonagh AF. Phototherapy
for neonatal jaundice. N Engl J Med 2008;358:920-928
Spark HealthDesign

20. WORKSHOP
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Masakatsu Ukon, flickr.com
INTRO > ACTIVITY > SHARE
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21. FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
“JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, WE
DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT
JAUNDICE WAS AND WE DIDN’T
HAVE ANYTHING TO TREAT IT
ANYWAYS.”
- NEW MOM’S SISTER
VIETNAM: DONG ANH FAMILY
Spark HealthDesign

22. HEADING HOME FROM
THE HOSPITAL.
FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
VIETNAM: NATIONAL OBGYN
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23. H a n o i
Mai C h au
District H o spital
N a m D in h
District H o spital
Dai Tu
District H o spital
1
2
FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Scenario 2
D a i Tu
Distr ict H o s p i t a l
V i e t n a m N a t i o n a l
H o s p i t a l o f P e d ia tr ics
H o m e in
Ru r a l V illa g e
30 Miles
1H o u r b y M o t o r b i k e
.5 H o u r b y C a r
58 Miles
2 H o u r s b y M o t o r b i k e
1H o u r b y C a r
D u e t o la ck o f p r o p e r t o o l s
a t t h e d i s t r i c t H o s p i t a l le ve l
t h e i n f a n t is r e f e r r e d t o a
n a t i o n a l H o s p i t a l
Scenario 1
Ma i C h a u
Distr ict H o s p i t a l
V i e t n a m N a t i o n a l
H o s p i t a l o f P e d ia tr ics
H o m e in
Ru r a l V illa g e
45 Miles
1.5 H o u r s b y M o t o r b i k e
.75 H o u r b y C a r
70 Miles
2 . 2 5 H o u r s b y M o t o r b i k e
1.25 H o u r s b y C a r
D u e t o la ck o f p r o p e r t o o l s
a t t h e d i s t r i c t H o s p i t a l le ve l
t h e i n f a n t is r e f e r r e d t o a
n a t i o n a l H o s p i t a l
VIETNAM
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24. FIELD VISIT
STAYING AT MOM’S HOUSE NEAR
THE BEST LOCAL HOSPITAL.
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
VIETNAM: MOC CHAU
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25. ONE OF NINE ROOMS
TREATING 150 INFANTS.
FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
VIETNAM: NATIONAL OBGYN
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26. THREE MOMS, THREE JAUNDICED
INFANTS, SHARING ONE ROOM
WITH AN UNUSED OVERHEAD
PHOTOTHERAPY.
FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
VIETNAM: PHU BINH HEALTH CENTER
Spark HealthDesign

27. UNIVERSITY STUDY
A DUKE
FOUND THAT 95% OF ALL
DONATED INFANT CARE
EQUIPMENT IS BROKEN WITHIN
5 YEARS.
FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
NEPAL: KATHMANDU
Spark HealthDesign

28. “THERE ARE FREQUENT POWER
OUTAGES AVERAGING 30
MINUTES, WITH POWER SURGES
WHEN POWER RETURNS. THE
TOP REASON OUR EQUIPMENT
BREAKS IS DUE TO POWER
SURGES.“
FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
HAITI: SECONDARY/PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL
Spark HealthDesign

29. “ALL OF THE INFANTS
WERE JUST DISCHARGED
YESTERDAY.”
- NURSE
FIELD VISIT Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
VIETNAM: MAI CHAU DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Spark HealthDesign

30. FABELLA IS ONE OF THE FEW(25%) PUBLIC
HOSPITALS. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 6
PHOTOTHERAPY DEVICES TO TREAT A
NICU OF 115 INFANTS.
FIELD VISIT
THE PHILIPPINES: FABELLA NATIONAL HOSPITAL
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

31. “WE HAVE ONLY HAD 1 OFFICIAL
INFANT WARMER IN 8 YEARS,
WHICH HAS NEVER WORKED. WE
NOW USE IT AS A BED.”
- DOCTOR
FIELD VISIT
THE PHILIPPINES: FABELLA NATIONAL HOSPITAL
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

32. FIELD VISIT
VIETNAM: HA NAM DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

33. FIELD VISIT
VIETNAM: HA NAM DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

34. “WE COMPLETELY BANNED USE OF
FORMULAINOURHOSPITAL. INSTEAD,
WE ENCOURAGE ALL MOTHERS TO
BREAST FEED AND USE KANGAROO
CARE TO KEEP THEIR INFANTS WARM.”
-DOCTOR
FIELD VISIT
THE PHILIPPINES: FABELLA NATIONAL HOSPITAL
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

35. ACTIVITY: HYPOTHESIS
DTM KINKAJOU MICROFILM PROJECTOR
TEACHERS WITH MODERATE LITERACY IN RURAL
COMMUNITIES IN MALI WITHOUT ELECTRICITY
- NEED -
ROBUST, EASY-TO-USE TOOLS TO HELP THEM
MORE EFFICIENTLY TEACH READING AND
WRITING TO WORKING ADULTS DURING
NIGHTTIME CLASSES TO IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES AND INCREASE INCOME.
DFA PROGESTRONE DIAGNOSTIC TEST
DAIRY FARMERS IN KENYA AND EAST AFRICA
WITH FEWER THAN 5 COWS
- NEED -
A <US$3 WHOLE BLOOD PROGESTERONE
TEST KIT THAT IS EASY FOR ARTIFICIAL
INSEMINATION TECHS TO USE ON THE FARM TO
HELP IDENFITY COWS READY FOR ARTIFICIAL
INSEMINATION, DECREASING DRY TIME, AND
ULTIMATELY INCREASING FARMER INCOME.
 NEED
(WHY)
CONTEXT
(WHERE,
WHEN, WHAT)


STAKEHOLDERS
(WHO)
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

36. WORKSHOP
Photo Courtesy: CC by SA Army Medicine, flickr.com
INTRO > ACTIVITY > SHARE
Spark HealthDesign

37.  NEED (WHY)
LOW RESOURCE HOSPITALS PROVIDING
OVERNIGHT CARE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA THAT
WISH TO IMPROVE TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND
REDUCE NEWBORN REFERRALS
- NEED -
AN INTUITIVE, DURABLE TOOL THAT CAN BE
PLACED IN THE MOTHER’S ROOM TO PROVIDE
INDIVIDUAL NEWBORN PHOTOTHERAPY TO
OTHERWISE HEALTHY NEWBORNS WITH JAUNDICE
WHILE BUILDING STAFF CONFIDENCE
EXAMPLE: FIREFLY
Spark HealthDesign

38. EXAMPLE: FIREFLY
OTHERWISE HEALTHY NEWBORNS WITH JAUNDICE
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

39.  STAKEHOLDERS (WHO)
LOW RESOURCE HOSPITALS PROVIDING
OVERNIGHT CARE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA THAT
WISH TO IMPROVE TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND
REDUCE NEWBORN REFERRALS
- NEED -
AN INTUITIVE, DURABLE TOOL THAT CAN BE
PLACED IN THE MOTHER’S ROOM TO PROVIDE
INDIVIDUAL NEWBORN PHOTOTHERAPY TO
OTHERWISE HEALTHY NEWBORNS WITH JAUNDICE
WHILE BUILDING STAFF CONFIDENCE
EXAMPLE: FIREFLY
Spark HealthDesign

40. EXAMPLE: FIREFLY
BUILDING STAFF CONFIDENCE
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

41.  CONTEXT (WHERE, WHAT, WHEN)
LOW RESOURCE HOSPITALS PROVIDING
OVERNIGHT CARE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA THAT
WISH TO IMPROVE TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND
REDUCE NEWBORN REFERRALS
- NEED -
AN INTUITIVE, DURABLE TOOL THAT CAN BE
PLACED IN THE MOTHER’S ROOM TO PROVIDE
INDIVIDUAL NEWBORN PHOTOTHERAPY TO
OTHERWISE HEALTHY NEWBORNS WITH JAUNDICE
WHILE BUILDING STAFF CONFIDENCE
EXAMPLE: FIREFLY
Spark HealthDesign

42. EXAMPLE: FIREFLY
IN MOM’S ROOM
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

43. FIREFLY
PHOTOTHERAPY
HAS TREATED OVER
500,000 NEWBORNS
WITH JAUNDICE
IN MORE THAN 30
LOW AND MIDDLE-
INCOME COUNTRIES
ACROSS ASIA,
AFRICA, AND THE
CARIBBEAN.
Photo CC BY-SA 4.0 Design that Matters
Spark HealthDesign

44. MTTS DESIGNED
AND LAUNCHED A
NEW FAMILY OF
NEWBORN CARE
DEVICES INSPIRED
BY FIREFLY’S
DESIGN.
Photo Courtesy:MTTS
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45. Photo Courtesy:Day One Health
Spark HealthDesign
NONPROFIT DAY ONE HEALTH AND MTTS
PARTNERED WITH AFRICA HEALTH SUPPLY IN
GHANA TO BETTER SERVE MARKETS IN AFRICA.

46. WE INVITE
YOU TO
DESIGN FOR
A HOPEFUL
TOMORROW.
THANK YOU!
Spark Health Design +1 617-997-2478
elizabeth@sparkhealthdesign.com
www.sparkhealthdesign.com
Photo Courtesy: Olin & Babson Colleges Affordable Design & Entrepreneurship
Spark HealthDesign