Sehat Initiative is now part of Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH)
Sacramento, California - We are thrilled to introduce the Public Health Institute's Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) to our community and partners. CIRH reflects our broader scope of work and unwavering commitment to our community and partners, especially immigrants and refugees. CIRH will serve as an umbrella structure to house Sehat Initiative and multiple other immigrant- and refugee-focused health programs.
Sehat Initiative was founded in response to humanitarian and healthcare needs of refugees from Afghanistan. As Sehat’s programs have expanded to serve other refugee populations, the need for a larger Center was clear in order to facilitate our reach and engagement with diverse immigrant and refugee populations and multiple stakeholders and funders. This transition underscores our long-term commitment to the health and well-being of the displaced.
The CIRH’s mission is to bridge the accessibility gaps in public health services and provide tailored services that cater to the cultural and linguistic diversity of immigrants and refugees. "Our vision for the CIRH is not just to serve as a bridge-builder but also a community partner that empowers immigrant and refugee populations," said Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai MD, MPH CIRH Executive Director. "We believe everyone deserves access to quality public health programs, and the CIRH represents a crucial step in the right direction."
There were 44.4 million immigrants living in the U.S. in 2017, making up 13.6% of the nation’s population. Various factors linked to the immigration process, including the pre-migration period, the migration journey, and the integration into a new environment lead to an increased risk of ill health due to numerous challenges at multiple levels.
Recent global crises, including the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have led to a significant influx of refugees to the United States; in numbers not seen since World War II. Among foreign-born populations, refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking who are forcibly displaced due to war, violence, or persecution experience physical injuries, psychological trauma, and exploitation at high rates. This is in part because unlike immigrants, who usually migrate by choice and might have time to plan their journey, refugees are often forced to flee abruptly.
The diversity of the immigrant and refugee populations often leads to fragmented service delivery; a lack of effective coordination and communication between different organizations and agencies involved in providing services. This can result in duplication of services for some and gaps in care for others. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for more integrated approaches that recognize the overlapping needs of immigrants and refugees while also addressing their unique requirements and challenges. This involves cross-sector collaboration, flexible funding mechanisms, comprehensive policy frameworks, and efforts to improve communication and coordination among various immigrant and refugee health stakeholders.
CIRH aims to serve as a bridge between immigrants and refugees and their wider health and social environment. CIRH aims to create synergy among federal, state, and local governments, academia, resettlement agencies, community-based organizations, and immigrant and refugee individuals and communities. CIRH is staffed by a team of experts specializing in multicultural public health programs, ensuring that all services are delivered with cultural sensitivity and respect.
Join us in our journey towards building healthier and more inclusive communities. Together, we can help the immigrant and refugee communities heal and thrive.