Newsletter - November 2025

VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 11

Welcome to the SAPHA November Newsletter!

As we step into November, we’re still buzzing from the excitement of SAPHA’s inaugural Gala and Conference! Bringing together public health leaders, clinicians, researchers, students, and advocates from across the country, this milestone weekend was a powerful reminder of the energy, creativity, and commitment within our community.

From inspiring fireside chats and panel discussions to celebratory moments at the Gala and Conference, we witnessed firsthand the collaboration and passion driving South Asian public health forward. The conversations, connections, and ideas shared have set the tone for new year of continued learning, partnership, and impact.

If you joined us for the Gala or Conference, we’d love to hear from you!

Please take a moment to complete our evaluation form . Your feedback helps us design future programs and events that best serve and strengthen South Asian public health.

In this edition, we’ll recap highlights, share stories from our members, and spotlight opportunities for engagement as we carry this momentum into 2026.

Read on to celebrate, reflect, and plan with us.

⬇️ Let’s dive in! ⬇️

✨ SAPHA Gala and Conference Recap! ✨

We’re still feeling the amazing energy from our inaugural SAPHA Conference and Gala! A two-day event filled with connection, inspiration, and powerful conversations about advancing South Asian public health. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our inaugural SAPHA Conference and Gala! Your presence, energy, and engagement made the weekend extraordinary and helped strengthen our growing community.

Our full recap is now available on the SAPHA website, including highlights from the panels, the interactive networking session, and our unforgettable gala program.

✅ Read the recap and relive the two days on our website

12/2 - Giving Tuesday

Thank you for your generous support of SAPHA’s Conference and Gala. We’re truly grateful. The event marked a milestone for SAPHA and your support helps us expand the impact we’ve already begun. 

With your help, SAPHA can continue to grow our:

• South Asian Research Hub to strengthen research and inform policy

• Webinar series to connect experts and community members throughout the year

• Toolkits and resources to empower public health professionals and organizations

• Networking and mentorship opportunities for students and emerging leaders

If you enjoyed this year’s gathering and want to see more events like this,

Giving Tuesday is the perfect moment to invest in SAPHA’s future.

Your gift will help us bring this energy to 2026 by creating more gatherings, learning opportunities, and community-centered resources. 

✅ Want to see more opportunities for South Asians in public health? Consider donating today.

Indian Americans Embrace Dual Identities — Survey Highlights

A new nationally‑representative survey of over 1,200 U.S. residents of Indian origin highlights how Indian Americans balance life in the U.S. while staying connected to India.

• Strong Cultural Ties: Over 80% maintain connections to Indian culture through food, movies, and the arts.
• Identity Matters: 87% say being Indian is very or somewhat important to who they are.
• Civic Engagement Rising: Many discuss politics with friends/family, volunteer, or engage in community problem-solving showing growing participation in U.S. civic life.
• Facing Discrimination: Nearly half of respondents reported experiencing discrimination in the past year, including biases related to skin color, religion, or country of origin.
• Support for Anti-Discrimination Policies: Over three-quarters support laws against caste-based discrimination in the U.S.

These insights underscore the diversity, civic engagement, and evolving identity of Indian Americans which is essential context for organizations and communicators engaging with this community.

✅ Read more: Indian Americans Social Survey Data — Carnegie Endowment

Health Alert: Chronic Conditions on the Rise

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight a growing health challenge in the U.S.: more adults than ever are living with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). Between 2013 and 2023, the prevalence of adults managing two or more chronic diseases has steadily increased across all age groups.

Key Findings

• The study “Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions Among U.S. Adults, 2013–2023” examined data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). 

• Among young adults (aged 18‑34): the prevalence of having two or more chronic conditions (MCCs) rose from ~21.8% in 2013 to ~27.1% in 2023, meaning ~5.2 million more young adults had any chronic disease and ~3.8 million more had MCCs.

• Among midlife adults (35‑64): notable increases in diabetes (10.9% → 12.5%), chronic kidney disease (2.5% → 3.1%), stroke (2.6% → 3.1%). 

• Among older adults (65+): Although heart disease prevalence slightly decreased (18.4% → 15.7%), chronic kidney disease increased from 5.7% → 8.6%.

• Key conditions driving the rise: obesity (young adults: 22.1% → 27.3%) and depression (16.4% → 25.0%) among the young adult group. 

✅ Read more: CDC – Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions, 2013–2023

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