|
A Letter from SAPHA’s President
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits as we embark on a new year filled with opportunities to continue advancing our shared vision of improving the health and wellbeing of South Asians and the communities in which they live. I am greatly honored to continue to serve as SAPHA’s President for a fourth year. It has been an incredible privilege to lead this organization and work alongside our dedicated board members, committee members, interns and the broader SAPHA network.
The year 2024 was extraordinary for SAPHA as we celebrated our 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of advocating for South Asian health. This milestone allowed us to reflect on our journey and recommit to advancing public health through advocacy, collaboration, and communication.
Reflecting on 2024, SAPHA achieved significant milestones that include:
-
Podcast Series & Advocacy Toolkits: The South Asian Public Health Association Spotlight Podcast Series highlighted the journeys of public health professionals and developed two comprehensive toolkits on cardiovascular disease and diabetes and interpersonal violence advocacy.
-
Engaging Events: From virtual town halls and panel discussions to our in-person "Chai and Chat" networking event at APHA, we brought together voices and ideas to foster dialogue and collaboration.
- National Presence: In 2024, several of our board members represented SAPHA at national conferences and summits including: presenting an abstract at CSAAH’s 11th Biennial AANHPI Conference; participating as a panelist at the APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit and the National Minority Quality Forum Leadership Summit, and leading a workshop at the API-GBV Summit.
-
Advancing Research: SAPHA expanded research and data collection efforts by participating as a subawardee on two NIH-funded grants, secured a $20,000 grant from NCAPA to address health misinformation and advance racial equity, and contributed a guest blog for the Health Equity Collaborative. We also have been working diligently over the past year on two projects: The "South Asian Research Hub," a research repository and a "South Asian Health Disparities Report," both launching in 2025.
These achievements highlight the collective efforts of our board, committees, interns, and supporters. Your collaboration continues to be the driving force behind SAPHA’s impact.
As we look ahead to 2025, we recognize that there may be shifts in policy and priorities that may impact the communities we serve. SAPHA remains committed to promoting health equity and advancing public health for South Asians and will continue to bring dedication, enthusiasm and innovation to the work that we do.
Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our outgoing board members—Hena Bajaj, Thoin Begum, Nishka Reddy, Aisha Bhimla, Tarun Mohan-Lal, and Sarah Bounse—for their remarkable contributions. To our continuing and new board members – Ayesha Azam, Malinee Neelamegam, Rubana Hossain, Amish Doshi, Mushira Khan, Anto Paul, Navami Naik, Anita Balan, Pavithra Suresh, Anita Makkenchery, Anmol Sharma, Sonia Shah and Minal Patel– welcome and thank you for your dedication to SAPHA’s mission. I am excited to work together to build on our accomplishments.
I encourage each of you to share your ideas on how SAPHA can continue to grow and better serve our community. For any inquiries or suggestions, please reach out to us at admin@sapha.org .
With gratitude,
Samira Khan, MPH
President, South Asian Public Health Association
| |
Introducing Our Board Members | |
|
🚨 We’ve been working behind the scenes on something BIG for our community—and it's almost time to reveal it! 🚨
Stay tuned for a major update that will take your research and resources to the next level. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this!
📅 Mark your calendars for the end of January – more details to come soon!
#SAPHA #BigAnnouncement #StayTuned
| |
|
Mental Health Resources for Southern California Wildfires
As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Southern California, our hearts go out to all those impacted. The destruction caused by these fires is devastating, and the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Whether you have been directly affected or are supporting family and friends, please remember that your health and well-being are just as important as the immediate recovery efforts.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
The stress and anxiety that come with natural disasters can be particularly difficult for those already facing other challenges. For many in our community, the emotional strain may feel compounded by the disruption of daily life, loss of home, or worry about loved ones. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and seek the support you need.
Here are some mental health resources to help you through these trying times:
South Asian Mental Health Services:
For culturally relevant therapy, consider connecting with mental health professionals who specialize in South Asian communities.
✅ Visit SAPHA’s extensive list of mental health resources for more information.
Crisis Counseling:
The California Department of Public Health offers free emotional support and crisis counseling services for people impacted by disasters. You can reach out to them through the Disaster
Distress Helpline:
1-800-985-5990 or Text "TalkWithUs" to 66746 (available 24/7).
Community-Based Support:
Many local organizations, including those within the South Asian community, are offering counseling and mental health support. Reach out to local temples, mosques, gurudwaras, or community centers to see what resources may be available near you.
Hotlines for Immediate Support:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (now reachable via 988)
Text "HELLO" to 741741 for free, confidential support via text.
Legal and Financial Resources:
If you're facing displacement or financial hardship, there are various legal aid services available to help you navigate housing and insurance claims. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) can assist with resources.
The recovery process can be long, but please remember that you are not alone. Reach out to your loved ones, your community, and mental health professionals. Together, we can rebuild, heal, and support each other in this challenging time.
Take care, stay safe.
| |
|
U.S. Surgeon General: Parting Prescription for America
| | |
|
|
On January 7, 2025, Dr. Vivek Murthy, who has served as the U.S. Surgeon General under both President Obama and President Biden released his Parting Prescription for America, his last piece of public health recommendations in his role before leaving office at the end of the month.
Surgeons General often issue these final pieces of advice, especially when wrapping up a major health initiative or during transitions between administrations
| |
|
The "parting prescription" can encompass public health recommendations, warnings, or general advice on key health issues affecting the nation at that time.
During his tenure, Dr.Murthy has focused on issues such as mental health, COVID-19 health guidelines, vaccine advocacy, and the impact of social isolation.
✅ Read the entire HHS press release here
| |
|
Organization Spotlight: South Asian American Policy Working Group
The South Asian American Policy Working Group is a coalition of local and national South Asian organizations dedicated to addressing policy issues affecting South Asian immigrants and communities in the United States. The organizations in the coalition compromise of nonprofits that focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by South Asians, such as language barriers, cultural adjustment, discrimination, and access to social services.
The Working Group aims to share and provide information about policy issues, rapid response, and community needs in today’s political environment.
To receive updates from the working group you can sign up for their newsletter here.
✅ Check out the South Asian American Policy Working Group Learning Hub which includes resources on key policy areas
| |
|
Data Science and Data Equity in Public Health
The importance of Public Health Data Science and Data Equity lies in their critical roles in improving public health outcomes, addressing health disparities, and ensuring that health interventions are effective, inclusive, and equitable for all populations.
Public health data science involves the use of advanced analytical tools, machine learning, and statistical models to make evidence-based decisions. By analyzing large datasets—such as health surveys, disease incidence, and social determinants of health—public health professionals can identify trends, patterns, and risk factors that guide effective interventions
Data equity ensures that health data represents all populations, including those from marginalized groups—such as racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and low-income populations. If data is incomplete or biased, interventions may miss critical populations, reinforcing health inequities. By focusing on data equity, public health professionals can identify and address systemic barriers to health, such as lack of access to care, socioeconomic challenges, or discrimination.
Dr.Bhramar Mukherjee, Senior Associate Dean of Public Health Data Science and Data Equity at the Yale School of Public Health, along with her colleagues Dr.Daniel Weinberger, Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Microbial Diseases, and Kerry Conlin, PhD student in Chronic Disease Epidemiology, have released an informational video discussing the importance of data equity in health equity.
✅ Watch the discussion on data equity in public health here
| |
|
January 28 Webinar: Community Conversations on
South Asian Heart Health
The next webinar in the Community Conversations on South Asian Heart Health series, hosted by the American Heart Association in Greater Boston, will focus on nutrition and feature Dr. Supriya Rao, a leading expert in dietary strategies for cardiovascular health. Dr. Rao, who is the Director of Medical Weight Loss at Lowell General Hospital, will lead the session on
Tuesday, January 28, at 7 pm ET/6pm CT/4pm PT.
The monthly webinar series addresses heart disease, a significant health challenge for the South Asian community, which was also a key topic during the session.
✅ Click here to register
| |
|
Know someone who might enjoy these newsletters?
Ask them to sign up for our email list here.
| | | | |
