Shaping the Future of Health — City by City, Community by Community
What does it really mean to be healthy? It’s not just about doctor’s appointments and prescriptions. It’s about the neighbourhood you live in, the job you do, the connections you have, and the opportunities available to you. Health is everything and that’s exactly the vision driving the World Health Innovation Summit USA (WHIS USA).
So, What Is WHIS USA?
WHIS USA is a movement. A growing network of healthcare professionals, community leaders, tech innovators, policymakers, businesses, and everyday citizens all working together to reimagine what health looks like across America.
From New York to Los Angeles, Austin to Seattle, WHIS USA is showing up in cities and communities to ask a bold question: What if we built a healthcare system that kept people well, not just treated them when they’re sick?
Why This Matters Right Now
The United States faces some of the most pressing health challenges in the world rising inequality, an ageing population, a growing mental health crisis, and healthcare costs that are out of reach for millions. The old ways of doing things simply aren’t enough anymore.
WHIS USA believes that real, lasting change happens when we stop working in silos and start working together. That means bringing the right people into the same room and sometimes, the same community centre, boardroom, or summit stage to turn ideas into action.
What We Actually Do
At the heart of WHIS USA is a commitment to prevention, innovation, and equity. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
We connect people. Through summits, roundtables, community events, and leadership forums, we create spaces where health leaders and local communities can meet, share, and collaborate.
We champion social prescribing. Not everything that makes us unhealthy can be fixed with medication. Sometimes what people need is a walking group, a befriending service, or help navigating local support. Social prescribing connects people to community-based resources — and it works.
We embrace digital health. Technology has incredible power to close health gaps and improve outcomes. WHIS USA helps communities and organisations harness that potential responsibly and equitably.
We think about the long game. From sustainable health systems to climate-ready care, we’re focused on building something that works not just today, but for generations to come.
Our Programmes — Health for Every Stage of Life
WHIS USA’s programmes are designed to meet people where they are:
WHISKids supports the mental health and wellbeing of children — because healthy habits and emotional resilience start young.
WHISatWork helps workplaces become environments where people don’t just survive the working week, but genuinely thrive.
WHISSeniors tackles the challenges of ageing head-on, from falls prevention to loneliness, turning ageing into an opportunity rather than a burden.
WHISGreen connects health and sustainability, recognising that a healthier planet means healthier people.
WHISTech harnesses digital innovation to transform how communities access and experience health and wellbeing.
This Is a Community Movement
WHIS USA isn’t a top-down organisation telling communities what they need. It’s a collaborative platform that listens, co-creates, and delivers alongside the people it serves.
Whether you’re a healthcare worker frustrated by the gaps in the system, a business leader wanting to support your team’s wellbeing, or simply someone who cares deeply about your community, there is a place for you in this movement.
The People Leading the Way
WHIS USA is guided by experienced, passionate leaders committed to making health equity a reality on the ground. Founder and CEO Gareth Presch supports Chair Jim D’Alfonso, DNP, RN, PhD(h), NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, who leads WHIS USA, champions its members, and ensures that local voices are always at the heart of every initiative. Helping to guide strategy, partnerships, and local projects are Co-Chairs Sheva Carr and Dr. (h.c.) Robert Browning together bringing a wealth of expertise and community commitment to everything WHIS USA does.
The team will also play a central role in advancing social prescribing adoption across the United States through the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA) — connecting American communities to a worldwide movement that is transforming how people access support, care, and connection beyond the clinic.
Get Involved
Health is everyone’s business. And the good news is, change is already happening in New York, Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles, and beyond.
If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or partner with WHIS USA, reach out at info@whis.world. Together, we can build a healthier, more equitable America community by community, city by city.
The World Health Innovation Summit USA — transforming health and wellbeing through collaboration, prevention, and innovation.