On March 14th, SAPHA hosted a joint town hall with the OurHealth team to raise awareness around cardiovascular health in the South Asian Community. OurHealth is a nonprofit research initiative that enables South Asian-identifying individuals to contribute to cardiovascular research by sharing their samples, their clinical information, and their voices.
During the event, we heard from esteemed speakers including Dr. Romit Bhattacharya, Dr. Aniruddh Patel, and Namrata Sengupta, who shared valuable insights on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in our community and the significance of research initiatives like the OurHealth Study. They highlighted the urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and preventative measures to address the disproportionately high rates of heart disease and related conditions among South Asians. The OurHealth Study, a collaborative effort led by cardiologists and geneticists from institutions like the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, aims to uncover the underlying genetic factors contributing to cardiovascular disease risk in South Asians living in the United States. By leveraging participant data, including surveys, clinical information, and biological samples, the study seeks to advance scientific understanding and develop targeted interventions to improve heart health outcomes in our community.
To learn more and hear the full discussion, you can access the recording of the event here. A recap of this event was also covered by NRIpulse.
Additionally, we've compiled resources on cardiovascular health, including tips for maintaining heart health, information on how to get involved in advocacy efforts, and links to further reading.
