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iHEART

Indianapolis Health Equity Access outReach & Treatment

Background & Significance

The iHEART collaborative is a hub for delivering interventions imbedded in clinical settings and community institutions including barbershops/salons and local places of worship –directly bringing health resources to those facing barriers to care.

This website provides details on strengths and challenges among communities prioritized for outreach under iHEART. The Riverside, Meadows-Martindale Brightwood and Near Southeast Side make up the ‘iHEART Anchor Communities’ which have prioritized outreach to serve their diverse populations and reduce barriers limiting access to quality CVD care. Show More

iHEART Philosophy

The iHEART Collaborative focuses on reducing the severity of CVD for residents through education, CVD risk screening and referrals to residents’ preferred medical care options. Here are three key elements of iHEART’s strategic approach:

  • Community-based Collaborations: Residents visit trusted institutions (places of worship, community centers, barbershops/salons) more frequently than healthcare settings and these partners provide insight on local needs.
  • Resident Centered Outreach: iHEART shifts health resources from medical settings to accessible local settings rather.
  • SDOH Approach: Medical care only accounts for 20% of an individual’s overall health. To address social determinants of health/social needs, iHEART provides referrals for access to food, utilities, childcare, and transportation.

iHEART GOALS

Goal 1:

  • screen 10% of or 1,400 adults in the iHEART anchor communities for CVD risks

Goal 2:

  • 20% reduction in emergency department visits and
  • 30% reduction in rehospitalization rates annually for iHEART anchor community residents identified at high risk for CVD

iHEART Anchor Communities

The iHEART Collaborative assessed demographic, economic and CVD prevalence data to identify the three anchor communities for this initiative. This analysis revealed three Indianapolis neighborhoods with elevated CVD prevalence as well as localized challenges to accessing healthcare. Through community outreach and engagement, the iHEART Collaborative provides referrals to medical and social resources for residents to avoid developing CVD and supporting those managing their current chronic conditions.

Riverside Park sign
Riverside

Known as North Indianapolis when platted in 1873 as an industrial area with a small residential population, Riverside now includes the neighborhoods of Riverside, Eagledale, Cold Springs, and Near Northwest.Notable landmarks of the Riverside neighborhood include the Major Taylor Velodrome, Riverside Park, Crispus Attucks High School and Museum, and the 16 Tech district.

Fall Creek Trail
Meadows Martindale-Brightwood

The Meadows - Martidale Brightwood area includes the Meadows, Martindale-Brightwood, Forest Manor, and Audubon Gardens neighborhoods.The Meadows - Martindale Brightwood neighborhoods include Washington Park, portions of the Fall Creek Trail, Wes Montgomery Park, and the 38th Street and Martindale - Brightwood Public Library branches. Recent private-public investment in the area also has paid off with a grocery and other stores, new apartments, and a dental office.

Fountain Square from Cultural Trail
Near Southeast Side

The Near Southeast area includes the vibrant neighborhoods of Fountain Square, Bates-Hendricks, Garfield Park, Old Southside, and Christian Park.The Near Southeast neighborhood includes Garfield Park, portions of the Cultural Trail, the three historic districts of Fountain Square, in addition to the southern portion of the Mile Square of Downtown Indianapolis.