The collaboration emerged after 2024 data revealed that fewer than 60% of children in Riverside and San Bernardino counties had received the recommended lead tests. By leveraging Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) metrics, the two organizations pinpointed specific clinics and providers requiring additional educational resources. This targeted outreach successfully moved the needle, transforming how local practitioners approach lead prevention.
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Riverside County Sees 11% Jump in Childhood Lead Screenings
A strategic partnership between the Inland Empire Health Plan and the Riverside University Health System has triggered an 11% increase in childhood lead screenings across Riverside County in 2025. The initiative aims to normalize blood testing as a standard component of annual pediatric checkups for children under six years old.
Public health officials emphasize that lead poisoning frequently presents without immediate physical symptoms, making routine blood work the only reliable detection method. Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky, Riverside County Public Health Officer, noted that early intervention remains critical to stopping environmental exposure before it results in long-term behavioral or cognitive challenges. While the recent gains are significant, both IEHP and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program continue to address systemic barriers to ensure consistent testing coverage for the region's most vulnerable residents.
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