VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 10

🍁 Welcome to the SAPHA October Newsletter!

We’re looking forward to connecting with many of you at APHA 2025 in a few weeks! We love meeting members and partners who share our commitment to advancing South Asian health equity. Scroll through the South Asian Compendium that we compiled to attend panels pertaining to South Asian health.

Right after APHA, we’ll gather in Washington, DC for the 2025 SAPHA Gala & Conference (Nov 5–6), featuring an incredible lineup of speakers and sessions. 

Highlights from the agenda include:

• From Pioneers to Pathmakers: Leadership and Legacy in South Asian Public Health
• Funding What Matters: Mobilizing Cross-Sector Investment for South Asian Health Equity
• An interactive “Professional Speed Dating” session connecting policy, practice, and research
• Lunch & Networking with a screening of Brown Heart
• Power in Action: Advocacy for South Asian Health Equity
• Driving Innovation: Reimagining South Asian Health Through Technology and Storytelling
• And our Closing Keynote: A Vision for the Future of South Asian Health

These sessions are designed to inspire bold ideas, spark collaboration, and strengthen our shared mission. 

Explore the full agenda and register here: 2025 SAPHA Conference & Gala .

then…

🛎️ Book your hotel using our room block for a discounted rate! 

⬇️ Let’s dive in!! ⬇️

✨ SAPHA Gala and Conference Updates! ✨

SAPHA’s Inaugural Gala & Conference is almost here!

✨ Be part of this historic first event that includes 2 days of curated panels, roundtables, networking, and celebration of South Asian health.

🎉3 Weeks to Go!🎉

🌟 ICYMI! We’re thrilled to announce that Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal , Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a leading voice for equity and social justice, will speak at this year’s Gala . We’re also honored to welcome Dr. Ashish Jha , former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator and a national leader in public health, as the closing keynote for our Annual Conference.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear two inspiring leaders share their insights on policy, health, and the future of our communities

🌟 Speaker + Panel Spotlights are being shared on our social media —follow along to see the incredible voices shaping this event.

We look forward to celebrating with so many of you in a few weeks!

🎟️ Reserve your spot today

🧑‍💻 SAPHA Workshop Rewatch!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our “Be a Vaccine Hero: How Public Health Professionals Can Address Vaccine Hesitancy in the South Asian Community” workshop. Led by Dr. Baldeep K. Dhaliwal, PhD, MSPH , this workshop explored culturally responsive approaches to building trust and improving vaccine confidence within South Asian communities. 

Continue the conversation and support your community in making informed health decisions with our vaccine advocacy resources.

✅ Access our vaccine advocacy resources here

🧠 Dementia Risk Study Highlights Gender Disparities

A recent study from Kaiser Permanente Northern California indicates that South Asian women aged 60 and older have the highest lifetime dementia risk among Asian American groups. This underscores the need for targeted interventions and increased awareness within the community. 

The study found that lifetime dementia risk was higher among women than men, with the largest sex/gender differences observed among South Asian and Chinese participants. These findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific health risks in dementia prevention strategies.

✅ Read the full study here

🩺 Health Disparities Among South Asians

in the U.S.

Cigna -authored research highlights that South Asians in the U.S. face significant health disparities, including higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and mental health challenges.  These issues are compounded by barriers such as lack of insurance, language differences, and limited access to preventive care. 

For instance, over 40% of South Asian men and over 30% of South Asian women have high blood pressure, and South Asians tend to have excess body fat around the abdomen and organs, which increases the risk of heart disease. Additionally, mental health is often an integral component of cardiac health, but seeking help is often stigmatized in the South Asian community, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

✅   Learn more about these disparities here

The survey takes about 15 minutes, is anonymous, and at the end, participants may volunteer for a brief audio-only interview. Interview participants will receive a $30 gift card as a thank you.

✅ Access the survey here

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and community health updates