As we welcome October, we celebrate the vibrant changes of the season and reflect on our collective commitment to public health. This month, we’re excited to share updates on upcoming initiatives, events, and resources designed to empower you in your vital work. From addressing pressing health disparities to promoting mental well-being, our focus remains on creating healthier communities within the South Asian diaspora.
Let’s harness the energy of autumn and the American Public Health Association (APHA)’s annual conference to renew our dedication to public health and make a meaningful impact together. Dive into this month’s newsletter for insights, opportunities, and inspiration!
Chai and Chat: Lighting the Way Forward – SAPHA's Next 25 Years
Join us at SAPHA’s annual Chai and Chat networking event during the APHA Annual Meeting!
This year’s theme, Lighting the Way Forward - The Next 25 Years of SAPHA, invites you to connect with public health professionals and community advocates as we discuss the future of South Asian public health.
Learn about SAPHA’s evolution, current successes, and our vision for the next 25 years, and hear about the key findings from our upcoming Health Disparities Report, and end the night by engaging in facilitated networking sessions with discussions centered on:
Advocating for the needs of South Asians over the next 25 years
Creating awareness and ensuring equity
Promoting public health efforts
Professional development and mentorship opportunities
Event Details:
Location: Hilton Minneapolis
Room: The Gallery
Date: Sunday, 10/27
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CT
We would love to meet you and hear your vision for the future of South Asian Public Health!
Additionally, check out our list of South Asian topics and speakers taking place at APHA by clicking here.
Opportunity Alert!
SAPHA is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as an Intern for a recently funded project on advancing racial equity by combating health misinformation in the South Asian American community. This part-time internship will tentatively be from January to March 2025 with an estimated 15 hours per week.
Breast cancer awareness is crucial for South Asians, as they may face unique challenges related to cultural stigmas, lack of awareness, and limited access to healthcare.
Early detection significantly improves survival rates, yet many women in South Asian communities delay screenings due to fear, misinformation, or modesty.
By promoting awareness, we can encourage timely check-ups, educate about symptoms, and reduce disparities in healthcare. Understanding risk factors, such as genetics, diet, and lifestyle, is key to prevention. Empowering communities through education and access to resources can lead to earlier detection, better outcomes, and healthier futures.
Empowering Heart Health in South Asian Communities
SANSAR (South Asian Network Supporting Awareness and Research) is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes within South Asian communities. Recognizing the unique health challenges faced by this population, SANSAR works to bridge the gap through awareness, research, and education.
South Asians are at a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes compared to other ethnic groups, which can lead to severe complications if not addressed early. SANSAR's mission is to promote cardiovascular health and well-being by providing critical resources, raising awareness, and driving scientific research to better understand the underlying causes of these conditions.
Through its community-focused approach, SANSAR offers programming and events that educate individuals on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices, early detection, and disease prevention. These initiatives include an Annual Symposium on Cardiovascular Diseases in South Asians, ensuring that the South Asian community is equipped with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their heart health.
In addition to raising awareness, SANSAR is also committed to providing educational resources on the genetic, environmental, and cultural factors that contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in South Asians. The organization actively collaborates with leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions to advance knowledge and develop targeted interventions.
Whether it's through supporting life-saving research or empowering individuals to take control of their health, SANSAR is at the forefront of tackling cardiovascular disease within South Asian communities, making a lasting impact for generations to come. For more information or to get involved, visit https://www.sansar.org/ or follow them on social media [IG: sansarfdn] for updates on their latest programs and initiatives.
White House Fact Sheet for AANHPI Communities
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), in
🌐 On Friday, 9/27, we hosted a hosted a virtual panel discussion with Pooja Mehta, MPH, Dr.Aruna Jha, Ph.D, LCSW, andDr.Suvrat Bhargave, MD. The discussion addressed the high rates of suicide within South Asian communities and the ongoing challenges surrounding awareness and prevention efforts. Panelists explored the deep-rooted stigma and cultural pressures that often prevent open conversations about mental health. They emphasized the importance of creating safe, supportive environments for individuals to express their struggles, recognizing vulnerability, and shifting from treatment to prevention.
The event highlighted the critical need for grassroots advocacy, community support, and improved mental health resources tailored to South Asian communities.
✅ You can catch the full recording of the event here:
🌐 On Wednesday, 10/9, SAPHA hosted a Health Equity Workshop on Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian American Communities, featuring Nandini Ray of Maitri. The workshop covered the unique factors impacting SAA survivors, challenges faced by SA immigrant survivors, the importance of culturally responsive services, effective intervention strategies, and prevention strategies.
In an effort to continue building awareness surrounding intimate partner violence, SAPHA has created the "Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian American Communities: A Public Health Issue" toolkit. The toolkit is designed for public health professionals, students, and community members looking to learn more on how to support South Asian survivors.
The University of North Texas, Department of Psychology is conducting a research study on daily life experiences and relationships among Asian Indians. The purpose of this study is to examine how intimate partner violence impacts family functioning and health among Asian Indians.
The study team is looking for participants to commit to complete online surveys once daily for seven days.
Our mission is to actively advance health equity and well-being within the South Asian community. We achieve this through advocacy, education, research, outreach, and by building essential community partnerships. Discover more about our mission or support our cause by visiting sapha.org!
On October 9, 2024, SAPHA hosted a Health Equity Workshop on Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian American Communities, featuring Nandini Ray of Maitri. The workshop covered the unique factors impacting SAA survivors, challenges faced by SA immigrant survivors, the importance of culturally responsive services, effective intervention strategies, and prevention strategies.
On September 27, 2024, SAPHA hosted Shattering Stigma: A Panel Discussion on Mental Health and Suicide in the South Asian Community, featuring Pooja Mehta, Dr. Aruna Jha, and Dr. Suvrat Bhargave and moderated by Dr. Pavithra Suresh.
Screenshot of the Virtual Panel
The discussion addressed the high rates of suicide within South Asian communities and the ongoing challenges surrounding awareness and prevention efforts. Panelists explored the deep-rooted stigma and cultural pressures that often prevent open conversations about mental health. They emphasized the importance of creating safe, supportive environments for individuals to express their struggles, recognizing vulnerability, and shifting from treatment to prevention. The event highlighted the critical need for grassroots advocacy, community support, and improved mental health resources tailored to South Asian communities. You can catch the full recording of the event on SAPHA's Youtube Channel.
September 2024 Newsletter
Recognizing Efforts for Preparedness, Recovery, IPV, and More
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 9
September is a transitional time for many of us. In parts of South Asia, September marks the tail end of the rainy season and here in the U.S., we are transitioning from summer to fall. For you, September may usher in the back-to-school season (as a student or a parent), or the beginning of the ‘end of the year’ cycle with shorter days and cooler weather.
In the public health world, September represents National Preparedness Month, Healthy Aging Month, and National Recovery Month, the latter of which aims to raise awareness about addiction and recovery. In this edition of the SAPHA Monthly Newsletter, learn more about our highlighted public health observances, partner opportunities, and upcoming events!
Our team at SAPHA is looking ahead to 2025 planning ensuring that we continue to deliver content that represents, uplifts, and is of importance to our South Asian community. Since SAPHA represents YOU, we want your feedback.
✅ Please take a minute to complete our poll below:
Applications for the SANSAR Young Investigator Award are now open!
Canadian-based organization, South Asian Network Supporting Asian Research (SANSAR), is dedicated to promoting cardiovascular health in South Asians. Their Young Investigator Award provides a grant to an outstanding young researcher, based in the U.S. or Canada, whose research activities are focused on the health of South Asians. Research projects involving the South Asian population related to cardiometabolic diseases and their risk factors are eligible.
National Preparedness Month: Empowering South Asian Communities
National Preparedness Month is a great opportunity to focus on planning and readiness. Whether it’s creating a family emergency plan, assembling an emergency kit, or learning about local hazards, there are lots of steps people can take to be better prepared.
In August, SAPHA, along with partner National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), joined forces with FEMA to discuss ways to build stronger connections with the Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community to support them in disaster preparedness. Read more about the key discussion points on SAPHA’s website.
For tips or guidance on how to get started with your own Preparedness plan, access the National Preparedness Month Social Media Toolkit here, which offers a version in Hindi and multiple other languages.
Healthy Aging Month
Brain health plays a crucial role in healthy aging. As we age, maintaining cognitive function can significantly impact overall well-being and quality of life. World Alzheimer's Day, observed on 9/21, conveniently falls within Healthy Aging Month.
This gap is particularly concerning given that South Asians comprise approximately 25% of the world's population (over 5.4 million in the U.S).
The underrepresentation of South Asian populations in Alzheimer’s research leads to missed opportunities for early intervention, potential misdiagnoses, and ineffective treatment strategies. Addressing this gap in knowledge is crucial for ensuring equitable, effective care for the South Asian community.
Since June 2024, Dr. Schnaider Beeri and her team of researchers have been actively recruiting offspring of Alzheimer’s patients from South Asian communitiesto study Alzheimer’s risk among South Asian Populations. The recruiting goal for this study is 750 participants. Compensation will be provided.
✅ If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the Alzheimer’s study, contact Dr. Schnaider Beeri’s team via email at adrd@bhi.rutgers.edu or
phone at 1-848-932-8415.
Intimate Partner Violence
Despite popular media glossing over the harm and ubiquity of intimate partner violence (or IPV, sometimes referred to as domestic violence), it’s more important than ever for our community to talk frankly about this alarming trend.
In 2022, the World Bank published a blog on intimate partner violence, stating that the prevalence of IPV is 35% higher in South Asians than other populations globally. Interestingly enough, research focused on IPV in South Asians in the United States in thelate 1990s show similar rates.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines IPV as abuse or aggression in a romantic relationship and categorizes IPV into four types: physical, sexual, psychological, and stalking. The context and dynamics of IPV can be influenced by cultural, social, and economic factors specific to South Asian populations.
Breaking the silence around IPV within South Asian communities is a significant challenge. Advocacy efforts focus on reducing stigma and encouraging open dialogue. Many advocacy groups work to ensure that IPV survivors have access to appropriate legal and support services. This includes lobbying for better protections and resources for marginalized communities.
Addressing IPV within South Asian communities in the U.S. requires a nuanced approach that respects our cultural values while promoting safety and justice.
SAPHA proudly supports a number of organizations that specialize in addressing IPV, ensuring privacy and safety for individuals involved. These organizations include:
Sakhi: Sakhi focuses their work on South Asian and Indo-Caribbean survivors through a combination of efforts including—but not limited to—culturally competent direct services such as a helpline, counseling, advocacy, housing assistance, economic empowerment, food justice, elder abuse intervention, and youth programs that honor the collective and inherent power of all survivors of violence.
Manavi: Manavi is the first organization in the United States dedicated to ending all forms of violence against South Asian survivors. Using a survivor-centered approach, Manavi provides culturally specific and linguistically appropriate services to South Asian survivors of gender-based violence. Manavi’s staff and volunteers are bilingual—speaking over 14 different South Asian languages.
Maitri: Maitri is a free, confidential, nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that primarily helps families and individuals from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, or family conflict.
If you or someone you know needs to escape a dangerous IPV situation, please seek help immediately. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at by calling 800-799-7233 or by texting BEGIN to 88788.
There is significant evidence that substance use can precipitate or exacerbate intimate partner violence. Substance use can impair judgment, lower inhibitions, and increase aggressive behavior, which may lead to violence. On the other hand, individuals who overuse substances may also find themselves at greater risk of experiencing cycles of IPV, particularly if their substance use impairs their ability to negotiate or resist abusive behavior. Sadly, substance use can also become a means of coping for individuals experiencing IPV as well.
For these reasons, SAPHA sees National Recovery Month as a meaningful step towards not only supporting our community members dealing with substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction, but also as a meaningful way to reduce risk factors for IPV in our communities.
To learn more, join us for our Advocacy Workshop on Wednesday, 10/9.
National Recovery Month
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes September as National Recovery Month. September is a time to highlight and celebrate the achievements of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) and to promote the availability of evidence-based treatment and support. It’s also a moment to recognize the ongoing efforts of service providers and communities dedicated to supporting recovery.
In July, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) stated that the AANHPI community has the lowest utilization rates for mental healthcare among all populations. The disparity in mental health care utilization among AANHPI communities is an important issue. The lower rates of mental healthcare utilization in these groups can be attributed to various factors, including cultural stigma, lack of culturally competent services, and barriers to access.
Addressing these disparities involves increasing awareness, improving access to culturally relevant and sensitive care, and supporting community-based initiatives that promote mental health and recovery. Efforts to reduce stigma, enhance education about mental health, and ensure that services are accessible and tailored to the needs of these communities are crucial in improving mental healthcare utilization and overall well-being. Treatment and recovery for SUD can consist of a combination of methods, including in-patient rehabilitation and out-patient cognitive behavioral therapy.
Recap: Virtual Fireside Chat with Dr. Atul Nakhasi
On Wednesday, 9/11 we hosted a fireside chat with Dr. Atul Nakhasi, Director of Science & Policy for the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. The topic, Understanding and Building Capacity to Address Mental Health in South Asian Communities, centered on the unique mental health challenges faced by South Asian communities in the U.S., addressing cultural, social, and structural determinants that affect care-seeking behaviors and mental health outcomes.
Dr. Nakhasi highlighted the need for data disaggregation, culturally competent care, and destigmatization to improve mental health access and outcomes for South Asians. Additionally, he discussed the Surgeon General’s recent advisories on loneliness, isolation, and social media usage, and their specific implications for South Asian communities.
Join SAPHA at the American Public Health Association Annual Conference for a special Chai and Chat!
Dates: Sunday, 10/27
Look out for more information on our social media channels!
Thanks for checking out SAPHA!
Our mission is to actively advance health equity and well-being within the South Asian community. We achieve this through advocacy, education, research, outreach, and by building essential community partnerships. Discover more about our mission or support our cause by visiting sapha.org!
On Thursday, August 29th, Thoin Begum, the Climate Health Taskforce lead for SAPHA, attended an important event where FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined forces with the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). Together, they signed a Memorandum of Agreement, solidifying their commitment to building stronger connections with the AANHPI community and helping them become more prepared for disasters.
As we observe National Preparedness Month this September, the importance of readiness in the face of natural disasters and extreme weather conditions cannot be overstated. With the increasing magnitude and frequency of these events, being prepared is more critical than ever.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recognized the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, particularly to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. FEMA has pledged to translate much of its content into several AANHPI languages. This initiative ensures that our communities are better informed and more equipped to handle extreme weather events and natural disasters.
As South Asian Americans, we are all too familiar with the disparities our community faces, often bearing the brunt of the effects of these disasters—effects that include increased displacement, migration, famine, and drought. While these challenges are prevalent in the global South, we must also recognize the growing threat of similar events here in the United States. The devastating Lāhainā fires in Hawaii last year underscored the critical importance of preparedness.
Discussing potential disasters and emergencies can be challenging, but these conversations are essential for taking proactive steps to ensure safety. We encourage you to set aside time to discuss preparedness with your family and community. Start these conversations when everyone is calm, and consider spreading them out over time to ensure thoughtful decision-making. Share the steps you've taken to prepare, and invite others to ask questions and explore preparedness actions that may work for them.
Let’s use this National Preparedness Month as an opportunity to strengthen our readiness and resilience as a community. Together, we can ensure that we are better prepared for whatever challenges may come our way.
