Newsletter - October 2022

REGISTER FOR CHAI AND CHAT!

Will you be attending the APHA Annual Meeting and Expo this year in Boston? We'd love to meet you at SAPHA's Chai & Chat event, taking place in person on Sunday, November 6th. Register at the link below to save your place!

Please note that the venue has changed to Room 257B of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. 

APHA 2022

SAPHA has compiled a list of South Asian health focused oral presentations and poster sessions that will be taking place this year at APHA. Download a PDF with links to each abstract and session information! Feel free to email us with any questions.

DIWALI AT THE WHITE HOUSE

On October 24, 2022, SAPHA President, Samira Khan, was one of the invited guests, at the White House's Diwali celebration. It was an honor to have SAPHA recognized on this large national scale with the esteemed invite. It is a testament to the hard work of past and present members of the Board of Directors, that SAPHA has been established as the leading voice on public health issues impacting South Asians in the United States. 

President Biden and First-lady Dr. Biden reflected on how light prevails in moments of darkness and how we each have the power to dispel this darkness. It was touching to hear President Biden acknowledge the inherent contribution of the South Asian American experience to the ongoing story of America. Vice President Harris also took the stage and gave a heartwarming speech about her personal relationship with Diwali. SAPHA is grateful for this momentous opportunity to witness a historical milestone alongside numerous South Asian leaders and trailblazers from across the country.

SOUTH ASIAN HEART HEALTH BILL

On July 27, 2022 the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act passed the House of Representatives. This bill will 1) provide grants to states for awareness initiatives and educational materials; and (2) establish programs to support research regarding heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other heart health-related ailments with respect to the South Asian population and other at-risk populations. The next step in getting this to the Senate is to find a Republican co-sponsor for the bill. We urge you all to reach out to your senators' office to urge them to support the bill. 

To find and contact your U.S. Senator:

1. Visit the Senate website (www.senate.gov).
2. Conduct a search using the Find Your Senators pull-down menu in the upper right corner (select your state and click Go).
3. On the results page is a link to the Senators’ website, contact information, and links to an online contact form (forms vary by Senator).