On April 9, 2025, SAPHA organized a panel discussion, “From Awareness to Action: Advancing Cancer Prevention in South Asian Communities” in observance of Cancer Control Month in April. The panel also marked the observance of National Public Health Week from April 7 – 13, 2025.
Salma Shariff-Marco, PhD, MPH, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California San Francisco and prior SAPHA Board member; Nishith Pandya, BA, Director of Federal Advocacy at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.; Farshid Haque, MS, President of the Sacramento Area Bangladeshi-American Association (SABAA) and Founder of Ellipsis Health; and Swaminathan Iyer, MD, Professor of Medicine and Lymphoma and Myeloma specialist at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and President of the Indo-American Cancer Association, participated in the panel discussion. SAPHA Board Member and Fundraising Co-Chair Minal Patel, MPH, moderated the panel. SAPHA President Samira Khan shared an overview of SAPHA’s vision and mission.
The discussion focused on trends and disparities in cancer incidence among South Asian communities, barriers to cancer screening and prevention, and the role of cultural beliefs and stigma on health behaviors.
Panelists highlighted the unique cancer burden in South Asian communities, with oral cavity, thyroid, and uterine cancers being particularly prevalent. The panelists also noted the low screening rates and vaccination participation among South Asian communities, which contribute to the cancer burden. They emphasized the need for culturally relevant interventions, community involvement in designing solutions, and improved awareness campaigns. The conversation also included the importance of addressing social determinants of health, improving healthcare provider training, mental health support, and creating targeted education programs that consider the diverse backgrounds and experiences within South Asian communities. Panelists also discussed legislative efforts and highlighted the importance of advocacy and awareness in addressing health inequities.
Dr. Salma Sharif-Marco mentioned the newly launched ASPIRE study that aims to follow 20,000+ Asian Americans over time to study health and cancer. She stated that this study is open to all Asian-American ethnic groups because their data has not yet been adequately represented in cohort studies for cancer and encouraged attendees to visit the website and sign up if they want to help
The discussion concluded with a call to action for individuals and organizations to get involved in cancer prevention efforts to improve health outcomes for South Asians living in the United States.
As part of our continued efforts to support aging-related research within South Asian communities, SAPHA conducted three in-person outreach events on April 28–29 to recruit participants for the CARE 2.0 study.
On April 28, SAPHA volunteers visited India Home in Jackson Heights to connect with older South Asian adults and share information about the study. That evening, the team conducted outreach at Echo Wellness in New Hyde Park, engaging with members of the Indian community around the importance of participating in aging and health research. The following day, on April 29, SAPHA held a third event in Ozone Park, focusing on outreach within the Bangladeshi community.
These events are part of SAPHA’s commitment to advancing inclusive research and ensuring that South Asian voices are represented in studies that shape health policies and care for older adults.
To learn more about the work SAPHA is doing with CARE 2.0 click here.
Interested in partnering with us to host a recruitment event for the CARE 2.0 study in your town? Reach out to admin@sapha.org for more information!
On March 26, 2025, SAPHA President Samira Khan joined an esteemed panel of leaders and experts for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Health Summit. The virtual panel, “Interpreting Health Disparities Through Disaggregated Data,” tackled the ongoing challenges of data aggregation that obscure the health needs of diverse Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
Moderated by Dr. Latha Palaniappan (Stanford University), the panel explored the urgent need for disaggregated data to uncover disparities and drive culturally responsive solutions. Representing the South Asian perspective, Samira Khan emphasized how South Asian Americans face unique health burdens—including high rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes—that remain masked by aggregated datasets. She highlighted SAPHA’s work in advocacy, research, and outreach, including the creation of toolkits and a research hub to support more inclusive data and equitable care.
Other panelists shared insights on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health access, trauma related to U.S. policy in the Marshall Islands, and the role of disaggregated data in shaping mental health and infant care systems. The discussion concluded with a collective call to action: to invest in data equity, empower communities, and ensure no subgroup is left behind in national health strategies.
Watch the full recording below.
On March 27, SAPHA President Samira Khan joined Dr. Vin Gupta and Professor Seema Mohapatra for a powerful discussion hosted by the Roundglass India Center at Seattle University. The webinar explored the evolving health and rights challenges facing South Asian Americans in the context of the Trump administration’s policies. The conversation underscored the urgent need for disaggregated data, culturally responsive care, and structural investment in South Asian health—particularly as funding cuts and policy shifts threaten to widen disparities in chronic disease, mental health, and healthcare access. The panel also addressed reproductive justice, immigration-related health fears, and the power of effective health communication in the face of misinformation.
You can watch the full webinar on youtube.
This event was also covered by Northwest Asian Weekly in their article, “South Asian health and rights in the Trump administration,” which highlighted the panel’s call to action and SAPHA’s leadership in advancing national conversations on health equity and advocacy.
On September 12th, SAPHA took part in a dynamic AAPI Climate Justice panel hosted by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), featuring voices from organizations such as the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance Washington (UTOPIA WA), National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) and the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA). Thoin Begum represented SAPHA’s Climate Health Taskforce as a panelist, emphasizing the deep connections between climate justice and health equity, and the specific challenges faced by South Asian communities due to environmental injustices, like poor air and water quality in ethnic enclaves.
The panelists collectively highlighted the intersectionality of climate justice, noting that it encompasses not only environmental health but also social justice, mental health, and community resilience. Speakers discussed the importance of including diverse AANHPI voices in the climate movement, recognizing cultural knowledge, and advocating for community-driven solutions. The conversation also stressed the mental health impacts of climate anxiety and the need for intergenerational collaboration to drive sustainable change. SAPHA remains dedicated to ensuring that South Asian perspectives are represented in the fight for climate justice and health equity. You can watch the discussion here: Click here
