Rita Allen Foundation
The Other Epidemic
_SECTOR: PUBLIC HEALTHThe Rita Allen Foundation (RAF) supports early-career scholars conducting scientific and medical research. One of RAF’s signature focus areas is chronic pain, a massive public health scourge that has received scant philanthropic and government funding. Emergence partnered with RAF to build a new narrative around chronic pain and elevate the issue for key stakeholders.
After extensive research, we created a comprehensive report detailing the hidden epidemic of chronic pain and the relative lack of scientific research into it. This report crystalized years of research to change perceptions and motivate philanthropic funders to invest in basic research with the potential to radically change our understanding of pain and ways to treat it.
Copywriting | Graphic Design | Public Relations | Research | Strategy
_THE CHALLENGE
Chronic pain is a silent plague in America. It touches millions of lives, shapes and drives the opioid epidemic, and complicates countless other medical conditions and end-of-life circumstances.
Yet, it remains a relatively unacknowledged and under prioritized problem and, as a result, the critical funding to understand and address root causes is lacking.
Instead, through a combination of cultural and medical factors, chronic pain is largely seen as a subjective, bearable, part of life. Something to be suffered through or medicated away.
_SEARCHING FOR THE SIGNAL
Through extensive research, including stakeholder interviews and landscape analysis, we created the strategy of a moonshot goal to end chronic pain in our lifetime.
Given the complexity of chronic pain, the only path to truly transforming treatment involves a significant focus on basic research. But basic research is by definition risky, and can take many years to produce real solutions, which means private sector and government funders are reluctant to make a serious investment. Philanthropic funders, however, are ideally suited to pushing this work forward.
Our strategy targeted philanthropies, with the intent of elevating the importance of chronic pain in the US.
_EMERGENCE
Emergence compiled a robust body of research into a comprehensive report focused on raising public awareness and understanding about chronic pain. The Other Epidemic was distributed to key stakeholders to make the case for greater philanthropic investment in basic research around chronic pain.
Based on the report, we also wrote an op-ed and provided key leaders with talking points, data, a pitch deck, and communications support at various funder convenings.
_ EVOLUTION
The report was presented at several convenings of philanthropic funders interested in basic scientific research. It was also distributed widely to funders, policymakers, and patient advocates seeking to elevate the important of this issue.
It continues to be a vital resource for RAF alongside their grantmaking and advocacy work.