Newsletter - July 2025

VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 7

As July unfolds, SAPHA is proud to continue advancing the important work highlighted during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month . This month shines a spotlight on the unique mental health challenges faced by minority communities, including South Asians, and the urgent need for culturally informed support and resources. 

Building on this momentum, we remain committed to fostering safe spaces, raising awareness, and promoting health equity through impactful programs, partnerships, and research. 

Join us as we work together to strengthen the mental wellness and wellbeing of our community. We’ve developed a toolkit tailored for South Asian community members to help spark meaningful conversations around mental health and tackle the spread of health misinformation in our communities. 

Check out our new Combatting Mental Health Misinformation Toolkit here .

Let’s dive in!

⚡ SAPHA Gala and Conference Updates! ⚡

✨ Join us for two impactful events to remember! ✨

Celebrate culture, community, and impact at SAPHA’s signature events!

The SAPHA Gala on Wednesday, November 5th is an evening of joy and recognition, featuring vibrant performances, inspiring honorees, and the richness of South Asian heritage. 

Then on Thursday, November 6th, dive into the SAPHA Conference , a day of thought-provoking sessions, powerful discussions, and collaboration with leaders, students, and advocates in public health.

Together, these events offer an unforgettable experience that blends celebration with action. 

✅ Get your tickets today and be part of the movement for South Asian health equity and community empowerment!

Workshop Recap: South Asian Social

Rewriting the Story: Mental Health in the South Asian Community

Mental health wasn’t a topic we talked about growing up in South Asian households. If someone was struggling, they were often labeled “pagal” meaning “he’s gone mad.” There was no space for therapy, open conversation, or compassion. You just had to deal with it and move on.

On June 21st, SAPHA had the honor of participating in something very powerful and hopeful in Northern Virginia.

✅ Read more about the event on our website!

💡 Organization Spotlight: Ashiyanaa

Aashiyana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving individuals of South Asian heritage from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Formerly known as ASHA for Women, the organization has provided culturally sensitive support to South Asian women facing gender and interpersonal violence since 1989.

With a new name and renewed mission, Ashiyanaa is expanding its services to support all South Asians - regardless of gender - on their path to healing and self-sufficiency. Their commitment to inclusivity and empowerment reflects a vital step forward in addressing violence within our communities. SAPHA was proud to partner with Aashiyanaa at their South Asian Social to present a workshop on mental health and wellness.

✅ Learn more about Ashiyanaa on their website

🚨 Guidelines Target High Cardiometabolic Risk among South Asians

A University of Texas (UT) Southwestern-led task force, in collaboration with global experts, has released new guidelines addressing the heightened cardiometabolic risks faced by the South Asian community including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension even at normal body weight. 

South Asians account for a significant share of these conditions globally and in North America, with heart disease occurring two to four times more often than in other ethnic groups.

Recommendations include:

• Earlier, more comprehensive screening: Experts recommend testing for blood sugar, arterial plaque, pregnancy health, and mental well-being before traditional “risk” milestones.
• Proactive lifestyle and medication guidance: Even those within “normal” test ranges may benefit from tailored prevention strategies.
• Culturally sensitive approaches: Incorporating South Asian dietary preferences and community partnerships into health advice.

At UT Southwestern’s South Asian Heart Program in Coppell (launched in 2022), clinicians are already applying these recommendations through holistic assessments and counseling. Additionally, Dr. Anand Rohatgi and colleagues are recruiting North Texas participants for a registry to study coronary plaque patterns unique to South Asians creating a step forward toward better prevention and care.

Why it matters:

These guidelines fill a gap in care by providing a strategic roadmap for clinicians, community leaders, researchers, and policymakers promising earlier detection, improved interventions, and stronger engagement with South Asian communities 

✅ Access the full details here

🩺 New Study: API Youth Face Higher Risk of Prediabetes

A new Kaiser Permanente study reveals that Asian and Pacific Islander (API) adolescents are significantly more likely to have prediabetes compared to their white peers—even when they share similar weight profiles.

🔹 What’s Needed:

Experts recommend earlier and more frequent screening for high-risk API adolescents, along with culturally relevant health education for families to prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.

✅ Read the full article here

🧬 Why Are South Asian Women Aging Faster Than Their Western Peers?

A recent report from DW highlights that women in South Asia are entering menopause earlier than those in Europe or the U.S.—often as young as 46–47, compared to 52 in the U.S.

This early onset signals accelerated biological aging and is influenced by

a range of factors including:

1. Health disparities like widespread vitamin D deficiency and undiagnosed ovarian issues
2. Cultural expectations that prioritize early marriage and fertility over long-term health
3. Limited access to hormone replacement therapy and menopause education
4. Chronic stress from societal pressure and caregiving responsibilities

Experts are calling for urgent improvements in women’s health care access, public education on menopause, and greater emotional and medical support for women navigating midlife in South Asia.

✅ Read more here

📣 Invitation to Join YMHFA Training for South Asian American Adults

Sponsoring Institution: University of Maryland, Dept. of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education

This FREE training and research study includes:

• 2 hours of self-paced pre-work completed online any time before the training day
• A live Zoom training on either Saturday, August 16th or Saturday, September 20th from 10 AM to 4 PM EST (includes a 1-hour lunch break)
• An opportunity to earn up to $30 for completing up to three surveys - these help us understand the impact of the training for SAA adults

✅ Spots are limited - sign up here!

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