Leverage Points

Understand

Small changes can unlock big shifts.

In remote Indigenous communities, maternal mortality remains high. It’s not just about distance—it’s about broken trust and language barriers. A team of midwives began with something simple but powerful: sharing maternal health information in local languages, shaped by the community’s voice. It was the first step in restoring trust.

Steps

1. Look at the system and think about what’s broken or stuck? Define the issue clearly.

2. Spot what’s keeping it stuck. Is the problem about money, rules, lack of access, who holds power, or deeper cultural beliefs?

3. Pick a leverage point. Use the list below to choose where to act. The lower you go on the list, the more powerful the change—but also the harder it is.

Based on the ideas of Donella Meadows (1992).

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