Kicking Off Change: How Soccer is Transforming Maternal Health
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend, an innovative initiative is set to reshape the landscape of maternal health using the universal language of soccer. Enter FC Mother, a groundbreaking project spearheaded by former professional soccer player Morad Fareed, which aims to improve maternal health outcomes through the power of community and sports fandom.
The Maternal Health Crisis
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth—a staggering statistic that underscores an urgent public health challenge. Efforts from healthcare professionals and community workers have made strides, but there’s still much to be done.
Introducing FC Mother
Fareed is determined to change this narrative. With FC Mother, he has positioned soccer as a vehicle for social change, uniting expecting and new mothers in a supportive network. This initiative, termed "H-sports" or healing sports, creatively gamifies maternal health, leveraging the passion for football to drive engagement and improve well-being.
“What we did was unify the world of maternal health and use football as a vehicle to distribute it, celebrate it, and gamify it,” said Fareed.
The "World Cup of Healing"
Kicking off just in time for Mother’s Day, FC Mother is launching its inaugural "World Cup of Healing," a competitive platform measuring health outcomes among participating mothers based on their soccer fandom. This 60-day trial runs parallel to the FIFA Club World Cup Finals, fostering engagement among mothers from football clubs in Brazil and the United States.
Collaborative Efforts
FC Mother has gained notable support from prestigious institutions like Harvard Medical School and team doctors from renowned clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Arsenal FC. This collaboration amplifies the initiative’s credibility and reach.
How Does It Work?
Mothers will connect through the FC Mother platform and partake in regular surveys assessing their mental and physical well-being. These health metrics will transform into team scores, allowing fans to rally behind their clubs while making tangible improvements to maternal health.
The Statistics Speak
In a comprehensive analysis, FC Mother utilized data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, identifying the maternal health outcomes of the 48 countries participating in the World Cup. Troublingly, the United States ranks 44th, lagging behind many developed nations. Brazil is close behind at 46th.
With leaders like Jennie Joseph, founder of Commonsense Childbirth and recognized as one of Time magazine’s Women of the Year in 2022, Team USA aims to set a new standard for maternal health outcomes.
The Path Ahead: Gamifying Maternal Health
Through FC Mother, Fareed aims not just to improve health statistics but to make a culture shift in how maternal health is perceived and approached. By leveraging community support and sports, he believes we can increase Quality Adjusted Life Years (QUALYs)—a metric crucial for public health organizations. The initiative focuses on understanding how social determinants influence mental and emotional well-being, driving overall health outcomes.
A For-Profit Model with Purpose
Interestingly, FC Mother isn’t merely a charity effort. Fareed envisions it as a for-profit venture, attracting interest from corporations and investors drawn to its potential for health improvements at a fraction of traditional medical intervention costs. The initiative seeks not only to impact lives but also to persuade 40 football clubs to join a larger maternal health competition during the 2026 World Cup.
Join the Movement
With its unique approach and compelling framework, FC Mother stands to revolutionize maternal health while uniting soccer fans in a collective mission. As we celebrate mothers this weekend, we invite you to follow this journey, rally behind your team, and perhaps, become part of a transformative story in maternal health.
For more insights on innovative ventures that bridge the worlds of business and social impact, stay tuned to the Extreme Investor Network—where we highlight initiatives that not only capture the spirit of entrepreneurship but also generate significant change in society.