SAPHA Statement on the 25th Anniversary of September 11

On the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA) remembers and honors those who lost their lives, the survivors and first responders, and the families and communities who were forever affected by the attacks.

For South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Arab, Middle Eastern, and other communities across the United States, 9/11 also marked the beginning of a period of increased hate, violence, racial and religious profiling, surveillance, policing, and immigration enforcement. People were targeted because of their faith, names, clothing, skin color, or perceived identities. The fear and discrimination experienced in the aftermath of 9/11 left lasting effects on the health, safety, and well-being of our communities.

These experiences are part of the broader public health legacy of 9/11. As SAPHA documented in our publication, Health Implications of Racialized State Violence Against South Asians in the USA, discrimination, surveillance, policing, immigration enforcement, and other forms of racialized state violence can contribute to chronic stress, fear, trauma, and reduced trust in institutions. The health legacy of 9/11 also extends beyond its social and political aftermath. In New York City and the surrounding region, exposure to dust, smoke, debris, and other environmental hazards following the attacks contributed to asthma and other respiratory conditions. At the same time, ongoing research has documented cancers and other long-term health conditions among WTC-exposed populations. Survivors, first responders, and affected communities have also experienced lasting mental health effects, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and grief.

Over the past 25 years, communities have shown resilience by organizing and standing together, inspiring hope and pride among public health professionals and allies.

Today, the lessons of this history remain urgent. Under the current administration, we are again seeing the expansion of immigration enforcement, restrictions on entry into the United States, and the use of political misinformation, national security, and public safety rhetoric to justify policies that disproportionately harm immigrant and Muslim communities. The post-9/11 era showed us the consequences of allowing fear to marginalize entire communities and the importance of speaking out when the health, safety, and rights of our communities are threatened. 

As we mark this anniversary, SAPHA calls on public health professionals and institutions to recognize the full legacy of 9/11 and ensure its lessons inform research, policy, preparedness, and practice, ultimately improving health and social outcomes alongside our partners in building communities. 

Learn, Reflect, and Take Action

SAPHA is proud to be part of the South Asian Coalition's 25 Years Later: Stories of Survival and Solidarity effort. The 25 Years Later Community Hub offers resources, testimonials, learning tools, policy-solution frameworks, and an event calendar-visit to find ways to get involved and support community resilience. 

Visit the South Asian Coalition's 25 Years Later Community Hub:
https://southasiancoalition.org/25-years-later/

Take policy action:

Explore the Sikh Coalition's advocacy resources and policy priorities for the 25th anniversary of 9/11:
https://www.sikhcoalition.org/our-work/take-action-for-the-25th-anniversary-of-9-11/

Learn more about the health impacts of racialized state violence:
Misra, S., Tankasala, N., Yusuf, Y. et al. Health Implications of Racialized State Violence Against South Asians in the USA. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01219-w