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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!
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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!
✅ Register Here to Attend
Additionally, check out our list of South Asian topics and speakers taking place at APHA by clicking here.
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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.
✅ Click to find out more and apply!
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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.
✅ Read more here:
Breast cancer stigmas threaten care for South Asian women
(Stanford Medicine)
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Organization Spotlight: SANSAR
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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.
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White House Fact Sheet for AANHPI Communities
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🌐 On Friday, 9/27, we hosted a hosted a virtual panel discussion with Pooja Mehta, MPH, Dr.Aruna Jha, Ph.D, LCSW, and Dr.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:
Shattering Stigma: A Panel Discussion on Mental Health and Suicide in the South Asian Community
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🌐 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.
✅ Access the IPV Toolkit Here
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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.
✅ If you or someone you know, are interested in participating, learn more at this link.
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SANSAR's 7th Annual Cardiovascular Disease in South Asians Conference – 2024 (Virtual)
Dates:
Session 1: Wednesday, 10/2
Session 2: Wednesday, 10/30
Time: 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m–8:00 p.m. CT | 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. PT
✅ REGISTER HERE
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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!
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