AstraZeneca (AZA) is one of Australia’s largest pharmaceutical companies and a key exporter to over thirty international markets. AstraZeneca manufactures 100 separate product lines and employs almost 1,000 people. Globally, AstraZeneca has introduced a Young Health Programme, to help make an impact to the health of disadvantaged young people around the world understand and have a positive impact to tackle the health issues they face.
In 2012, AZA launched a partnership with The George Institute for Global Health to create The AstraZeneca Australia Young Health Programme (AZAYHP), Driving Change, to assist young Indigenous Australians on their journey to getting a licence in six separate communities in New South Wales. The community led programme aims to reduce the varied barriers young Aboriginal people face when trying to earn and maintain a licence by helping young drivers to overcome barriers such as obtaining a birth certificate, navigating the fines system, assistance when taking the learners test and access to a vehicle.
Through partnerships, support from the State government, staff fundraising efforts, and AZA’s funding commitment to the programme, Driving Change can now call on over $2 million in resources to contribute significantly to reducing road fatalities and improving health outcomes for young Indigenous Australians. The success of Driving Change has seen AstraZeneca be recognised as an ABA100 Winner for Community Contribution in The Australian Business Award 2014.
