By Diana Lara
Kelvin Brown is on a mission to address critical health care disparities that affect underserved communities, including ethnic minorities and rural populations across the United States. Brown’s groundbreaking startup, Karneyium Health, combines artificial intelligence (AI) with geographic information systems (GIS) mapping technology to identify areas that lack adequate health care resources. This technology empowers medical providers to target these regions by conducting clinical trials in areas identified as “in need,” ultimately working to reduce inequities in health outcomes.
Kelvin Brown, a passionate advocate for health care equity, founded Karneyium Health to address longstanding disparities in health care access. “There are ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in care, quality of care, health insurance coverage, and access,” Brown said. This recognition fueled his determination to create a platform that could make a difference.
Brown’s entrepreneurial journey began during his time at the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where he earned an MBA and learned the essentials of building and scaling a business. His next step was enrolling in UC’s Venture Lab at the 1819 Innovation Hub, a startup pre-accelerator that helped shape the vision and strategy for Karneyium Health.
“The Venture Lab pushed us to focus on the startup and the direction we wanted to go,” Brown noted. “They also connected us to a network of experienced entrepreneurs who guided us through the early challenges that many startups face.”
With the knowledge gained from the Venture Lab and seed funding from Main Street Ventures, also based at the UC 1819 Innovation Hub, Karneyium Health was ready to tackle its mission: bringing health care equity to underserved communities.
For Brown, Karneyium Health is more than just a business. It is a personal mission. His love for technology and innovation is matched by his desire to create equitable health care outcomes. By utilizing GIS software, Karneyium Health aims to help medical providers identify regions that are underserved and launch new clinical trials in these areas. This innovative approach fosters a more inclusive, efficient, and representative clinical trial process, benefitting those who are often overlooked in today’s health care system.
“Karneyium’s purpose is to rethink how clinical trials are operated and where they are executed, ultimately fostering more targeted, streamlined, and inclusive trials,” Brown explained.
Karneyium Health plans to use AI and real-world health data to identify areas of focus for clinical trials, ensuring that innovations in health care reach those who need them most.
While health care in the United States may seem adequate for many, significant disparities persist. Black, Native American, and rural communities face profound challenges in accessing quality care. As of 2020, Ohio and its neighboring states reported life expectancies lower than the national average of 77 years, highlighting the need for innovative solutions like Karneyium Health.
Tackling a National Challenge
“Kelvin’s identification of a real societal problem and proposed solution offers much-needed critical parity to our health care system,” said Kate Harmon, assistant vice president of UC’s Office of Innovation.
Brown’s journey from the classroom to the forefront of health care innovation is a testament to his commitment to improving health outcomes for all Americans. His experiences at the University of Cincinnati and the 1819 Innovation Hub have helped him turn his passion into a tangible solution.
“If we can optimize clinical trials and increase their inclusivity,” Brown said, “we can bring lifesaving therapeutics to market faster and ensure the results of these trials apply to all ethnicities.”
For more information about Karneyium Health, visit: karneyiumhealth.com