On October 27, SAPHA kicked off the APHA Annual Meeting with our annual Chai and Chat event, themed Lighting the Way Forward - SAPHA’s Next 25 Years. This year’s gathering celebrated SAPHA’s 25th anniversary, reflecting on our journey and sharing our vision for the future of South Asian public health. We loved meeting those who attended!
We were honored to welcome Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the State of Washington, and Dr. Arnab Mukherjea, Associate Professor of Public Health, and Faculty Director for the Health Professions; Office of the Chancellor, at California State University, East Bay who shared invaluable insights on SAPHA’s growth, the evolution of South Asian health initiatives, and the importance of collaboration to advance health equity. The evening also featured presentations by SAPHA board members:
SAPHA President Samira Khan shared an overview of SAPHA’s impact areas and our vision for the future;
Advocacy Committee Co-Chair Rubana Hossain introduced SAPHA’s new Intimate Partner Violence Toolkit;
Research Committee Co-Chair Aisha Bhimla shared findings from our groundbreaking Health Disparities Report;
Treasurer Malinee Neelamegum highlighted how SAPHA partners with academic researchers to advance South Asian health equity research.
The event concluded with engaging round-table discussions on advocacy, health equity, and professional development. Attendees connected with public health professionals, community advocates, and SAPHA members, exploring how we can work together to address health disparities and support the needs of South Asian communities over the next 25 years.
Thank you to everyone who attended and made this gathering a true celebration of our collective commitment. With your support, we’re lighting the way forward for SAPHA’s future—one rooted in collaboration, resilience, and a shared vision for health equity in South Asian communities. Here’s to the journey ahead!
