<p>In India, poor women are trained to provide low-cost, door-to-door diabetes services in rural communities. This is a critical service; 70% of India's population lacks reliable access to medical services, including blood glucose testing. In the US, the Health Leads program takes aim at non-medical issues, such as lack of transportation to a doctor's appointment or not enough food at home, that undermine health.</p><p>For these programs and others like them, the message is clear: Improving health and healthcare requires new thinking and fresh ideas. Social entrepreneurs, including the founders of these programs, are at the forefront of new ideas in healthcare (and many other industries).</p><p>Most people have heard of social entrepreneurs. What they may not know is that some large healthcare companies are also playing a role in social entrepreneurship. Driven by a need to remain competitive and a desire to bring about positive change, these companies are pursuing a strategysocial businessthat combines profit with purpose.</p><p>In some ways, social business is a natural fit for global healthcare companies. Being on the front lines and supporting new approaches is a logical extension of their core mission of promoting better health through discovery and innovation.</p><p><a href="http://www.mmm-online.com/how-social-business-is-transforming-healthcare/article/337268/">Keep reading...</a></p>