South Asian Public Health Association A Brown Paper: The Health of South Asians in the U.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:

FIRST-EVER REPORT ON SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN HEALTH
CALLS FOR MORE RESEARCH, BETTER DATA
SAPHA Releases Collection of Data on Critical Health Issues for South Asians in US

Washington, D.C. (November 26, 2002) - More research on the health status, needs, and concerns of South Asians is vital to further reduce health disparities according to a ground-breaking report, A Brown Paper: The Health of South Asians in the United States.

Published by the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA), the Brown Paper is the first national initiative to evaluate and summarize existing knowledge about several key health indicators for South Asian Americans. The report focuses primarily on South Asians living in the US, as well Diasporic communities that have lived for several generations in other regions of the world, such as the Caribbean and the African continent. South Asians generally have origins in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

"The two year effort to produce this document is only the first step in establishing an agenda for the health of South Asian communities," explains Abhijit Ghosh, co-chairperson of SAPHA's Board of Directors.

The Brown Paper consists of 13 chapters: A Socio-Demographic Profile; Youth Health; Women's Health; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health; Elderly Health; Cancer; Cardiovascular Disease; Diabetes; HIV/AIDS; Intimate Partner Violence; Mental Health; Nutrition; and Substance Abuse. The publication also includes a comprehensive Resource Guide, which lists over 100 resources and agencies that provide services to South Asians across the United States.

Key findings revealed in the Brown Paper:

• Leading cause of mortality is cardiovascular disease; heart disease has a higher prevalence in Asian Indians than other Asians and non-Hispanic whites.
• Top chronic illness concerns are obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
• When compared to white children, Asian American children are 2-3 times more likely to lack a usual source of health care services and continuity of care.
• Women who have emigrated to the US from India are more likely to deliver low birth weight infants than white women and women in other ethnic groups, although they receive first trimester prenatal care at about the same rate as white women.
• In both the intimate partner violence and HIV/AIDS chapters, authors note that the stigma associated with seeking assistance often deters South Asians from accessing services.
  

According to Ushma Upadhyay, co-editor of the Brown Paper and a member of SAPHA's Board of Directors, "All too often, South Asians are seen as a model minority, which prevents understanding and further research into their health issues. For instance, as long as people believe that substance abuse or HIV has not touched this community, the longer it will take for South Asians battling 'stigmatized' illnesses to seek and get assistance."

Approximately 2 million people of South Asian origin live in the United States, according to year 2000 Census data-a growth rate of 106% over the last ten years. Significant increases in population, coupled with wide diversity within the South Asian community, present a challenge for health care providers to respond to both community and individual needs adequately.

Additional statistics of note:

• Asian Indians stand 12th in national poverty level rankings.
• South Asian uninsurance rate is 21% (national average is 18%).
• 25% of Asian Indians have limited English proficiency, which means they do not speak English well.
• Asian Indian elderly comprise 10% of the Asian Indian population.
  

"This new report finally brings together literature from all over the world to help us understand the health needs of this rapidly growing group of Americans. Health care providers, researchers, and policymakers will be better able to provide care and solutions to health disparities among South Asians. Gaps in available data can be better addressed by researchers," explains chapter author Susan L. Ivey, MD, MHSA, a key researcher in cardiovascular disease among South Asians.

Academic researchers, health care providers, advocates, and activists throughout the US have contributed to planning and development of the Brown Paper. Based on research and analyses of each topic, the authors have made recommendations for policymakers, health and human service providers, and public health advocates.

Next Steps:

As the next step, SAPHA will distribute the Brown Paper to key individuals and decision-makers in the field of public health and public policy. SAPHA will also build partnerships with community-based organizations throughout the US in an effort to increase awareness on issues of South Asian American health, foster dialogue on issues raised by the Brown Paper, and explore ways in which communities can identify innovative ways to address their health needs and empower themselves through healthy living.

ABOUT SAPHA: Recognizing the importance of addressing the health and well-being of South Asian communities, a group of public health professionals and students in the United States founded SAPHA in 1999, creating an on-line community. By 2002, SAPHA formed its Board of Directors, has grown to over 400 on-line members, and hosts activities and events throughout the nation. To further its mission, the South Asian Public Health Association seeks to: (1) Provide a forum for mentorship, dialogue and resource-sharing among public health professionals working with South Asian communities; (2) Advance the leadership, networking and professional development of South Asian public health professionals; (3) Raise awareness of health risks and encourage healthy behavior among South Asians; (4) Increase awareness of the value of culturally-appropriate services for South Asians in the United States; and (5) Encourage and support research and academic communities interested in South Asian health issues.

To order a copy of the Brown Paper and for additional information about SAPHA,
visit http://www.sapha.net or e-mail info@sapha.net

Contacts:
Sharmila S. Rao at ssr20@columbia.edu/ 646-528-3886
Abhijit Ghosh at saphaabhijit@yahoo.com/ 443-691-0136