IEHP collaborates with Sahaba Initiative to break cycles of poverty

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and the Sahaba Initiative are joining forces to change health outcomes for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) and Muslim communities in the Inland Empire.

The collaboration involves gathering demographic data that will allow both organizations to address disparities and close care gaps specific to the needs of the MENA population. Currently, 14% of IEHP members who identify as MENA have only two options – ­“Choose not to disclose” or “Other” ­– when submitting demographic information to the health plan.

“When we look at some of the conversations happening in the health equity space, we learned there’s a severe lack of current data regarding these communities,” said Adai Taylor, a health equity programs liaison for IEHP. “When it comes to folks who identify as Middle Eastern or North African, there are currently no boxes for them to check. We want to ensure we are capturing this data so we can properly address the diverse needs of all the communities we serve.”

The information will also help improve IEHP programming and support services for members and the general community. Through these efforts, both organizations strive to improve culturally responsive healthcare services for communities that have been historically marginalized.

"We must make sure that as a diverse organization and as a public entity we are a trusted partner that can work together with everyone,” said Gabriel Uribe, IEHP’s director of health equity operations. “We can only achieve that by being in the community and through learning.”

Malek Bendelhoum, Sahaba Initiative’s executive director, agreed.

“Collaboration is key to [our] mission of breaking cycles of poverty. The MENA and Muslim communities have been underserved, and we’re here to change that,” he said. “We welcome IEHP as a companion on this journey because they share our vision of empowerment and have a proven record of building trust through accessible, quality care. Together, we can ensure no one faces challenges alone.”

The partnership with Sahaba Initiative began in August and will continue for one year. IEHP and Sahaba are utilizing Connect IE’s online platform to compile member data safely and securely, as well as Sahaba-hosted food distribution and community events at their Family Resource Center in San Bernardino. To access the Connect IE form, go to connectie.org and select “Connect IE Network Self-Enrollment Form.” 

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the third year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work®. In its 27th year, IEHP supports more than 1.5 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). Today, IEHP has a growing network of nearly 6,800 providers and more than 3,000 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to iehp.org.