The Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania exists across spaces, connecting worlds.

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We bring together social enterprise, education, research, and community resources to create real-world applications that will transform LGBTQ+ health. Taking an action-oriented business approach and backed by world-class research, we co-create innovative solutions that ensure impact for LGBTQ+ communities.

Launched in January 2022, Eidos is the first program of its kind, cultivating change efforts as a connector and think tank.

Our triangular logo reinforces Eidos’ commitment to link different perspectives and form new ideas in order for change and evolution to take place.

Why Our Work is Essential

LGBTQ+ people experience greater health risks due to stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and violence. Nevertheless, LGBTQ+ people are resilient in the face of adversity. We want to accelerate the evolution and scaling of LGBTQ+ health solutions being developed across multiple sectors.

More than

%

Of the U.S. populatioN

and up to

%

of younger generations

identify as LGBTQ+

But an analysis of the National Institutes of Health’s portfolio found that

less than 1%

of funded projects focused on LGBTQ+ populations.

These numbers don’t add up. Without joint partnerships and investments from academia, healthcare, industry, government, and community sectors, advancements to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals will lag and stagnate.

That’s where we come in.

How We Help

Wherever you are in your development, our services can add a more integrative, humanistic approach.

Discovery

Explore together where LGBTQ+ health research and business innovation intersect to create transformative tools and programs

Advising

Collaborate on program design highlighting key priorities, aid in capacity building, and offer technical expertise to produce high-impact programs across sectors

Education

Provide training that builds tangible skills in LGBTQ+ healthcare through a wide array of speakers, workshops, and conferences

Evaluation

Examine how existing programs and interventions improve care and well-being to assess their effectiveness and impact

Ensuring Impact

Turn evidence-based strategies into economically sustainable solutions while prioritizing those in need

sacred triangle geometry diagram of eidos as the connector between different communities: business, healthcare, policy, government, community and academia

We’re looking to connect and work with partners across sectors.
If you’re ready to transform LGBTQ+ health, please reach out to us.

Who We Are

Eidos brings the best Penn has to offer: our students, staff and faculty’s investment in social justice, and our world-class interdisciplinary expertise in cutting-edge intervention science across the 12 schools.

José Bauermeister, MPH, PHD

Founding Faculty Director, Eidos

José Bauermeister’s work focuses on synergizing systems-level interventions, community engagement, digital strategies, and clinical innovations to optimize the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ communities.

José has led projects funded by the NIH, CDC, Ford Foundation, MAC AIDS Fund, HopeLab, and Herb Ritts Foundation. He has published over 250 peer-reviewed publications. He is also the Albert M. Greenfield University Professor of Human Relations, Chair of the Department of Family and Community Health in the School Nursing, and Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine. José is an Aspen Institute’s Health Innovators Fellow, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Penn Profile

LinkedIn

Jessica Halem, MBA

Senior Director, Eidos

Jessica Halem inspires organizational change through inclusive communication strategies, evidence-based trainings and leadership development to advance LGBTQ+ health and well-being.

Jessica has 20 years of leadership in LGBTQ+ health, serving as Executive Director of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project in Chicago and the inaugural LGBT Director at Harvard Medical School. She has won awards from The Advocate, Howard Brown Health, Harvard, HERO, and GLMA. A sought-after speaker, she addresses LGBTQ+ health, workplace inclusion, and innovation using improv skills with start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and medical centers around the world. Jessica serves on the Board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation.