Foundation Offers $10-Million for Plan to Improve Health

The nonprofit X Prize Foundation, which has held competitions to develop ideas for space travel, DNA research, and fuel-efficient cars, is turning to health care for its latest contest, offering $10-million for a plan to improve the health of the residents of small U.S. cities and towns, Reuters reports.

The organization is soliciting written ideas for the Healthcare X Prize and will choose five for a three-year trial. The winner will be chosen based on an index of measures, such as reduced emergency-room visits and health costs, indicating a 50 percent improvement in overall local health.