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Article | April 2022


SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH DISPARITIES

Find clinical insights and practical tips on how to address health disparities
among this diverse population.

A 2019 statistics study cited that the South Asian American community in the
U.S. grew 40% from 3.5 million to 5.4 million between 2010 and 2017.1

The South Asian community contains subgroups with differing socio-economic
statuses, health care practices, access to care, and patient-provider readiness.
This makes it difficult to plan health care initiatives and address gaps in
care.

While there is some data exploring South Asian health disparities, more research
is needed to identify and address their unique needs. 







SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH DISPARITIES


HEART DISEASE

South Asians have a four-fold greater risk of developing heart disease than the
general population.2 They have a higher risk of developing heart disease at a
younger age; 50% of heart attacks occur under age 50 while 25% of heart attacks
occur under age 40.3

Mental health is fundamental to improving cardiac health among South Asians.
First generation South Asian immigrants face challenges such as immigration,
acculturation, loneliness, and lack of family and social support.

The stigma of mental health is also a barrier to effective treatment. This can
lead to a delay in diagnosis and critical mental health interventions, which
further prevents patients from achieving ideal cardiovascular health.









TYPE 2 DIABETES 

South Asians are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even when they
are considered to be normal weight or have what is traditionally thought of as a
healthy BMI, compared to other ethnic populations, including white, black, and
Pima Native American tribes.4 Therefore, diabetes screening for South Asians is
suggested if BMI is 23 or greater.5


SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH DISPARITIES RESOURCES

VIDEO


CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE LIFESTYLE CHANGES ARE OF KEY IMPORTANCE FOR SOUTH ASIANS

Dr. Sheila Sudhakar addresses cultural factors and their impact on South Asian
patients who are at risk for chronic disease, such as heart disease and
diabetes. (Length: 00:04:57)

Watch Video


VIDEO


EQUIPPING CLINICIANS WITH INSIGHTS INTO SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH DISPARITIES

Dr. Anil Sipahimalani shares expertise in addressing the cultural influencers,
environmental factors, and resulting health disparities specific to coronary
artery disease and diabetes within the South Asian community. (Length: 00:06:17)

Watch Video



HEALTH DISPARITIES BRIEF

This brief highlights the importance of preventive care and screening, as well
as close monitoring of these five areas of disparities:

 * Cardiovascular health
 * Diabetes
 * Cancer
 * Mental health
 * Maternal child health

Download the health disparities brief [PDF]Download the health disparities brief
[PDF]


SOUTH ASIANS AND HEART HEALTH: TAKE CONTROL NOW

South Asians have a four times greater risk of heart disease than the general
population. Additionally, South Asians develop heart disease on average 10 years
earlier than those of other descent2 and can have cardiovascular disease even
with a normal BMI. It is important to understand these risk factors and screen
appropriately for cardiovascular disease.

View our digital guideView our digital guide

VIDEO


SOUTH ASIANS AND HEART HEALTH: TAKE CONTROL NOW

Watch this educational video for health care providers and their patients about
cardiovascular health risk factors and strategies to address them. Includes
personal examples presented by Cigna employees. (Length: 00:03:59)

Watch Video



SOUTH ASIAN AND HEART HEALTH FACTS: DO YOUR PATIENTS KNOW THEIR RISK FACTORS?

This guide can help your patients understand their unique risk factors and
encourage them to take an active role in their health care.

View our digital guideView our digital guide







DIGITAL GUIDE COMPANION

Use this overview of the South Asian and Heart Health digital guide to help talk
to your patients about heart health, prevention, and lifestyle changes.

Download the digital guide companion [PDF]Download the digital guide companion
[PDF]









DIABETES IN SOUTH ASIANS TRAINING

These modules address key health disparities found within the South Asian
population including a deeper exploration of the diversity within the South
Asian sub-populations. This provides foundational knowledge regarding specific
cultural traits, beliefs, and practices that can enable you to provide
culturally responsive care.

Module 1: Overview of Health Disparities among South Asian population. (35
minutes)

Module 2: Three case studies exploring variation within South Asian cultural
groups. (15 minutes)

Module 3: Culturally relevant dietary changes and health care navigation tips
for patients available in English [PDF]English [PDF], Hindi [PDF]Hindi [PDF],
Nepali [PDF]Nepali [PDF], and Urdu [PDF]Urdu [PDF].

Access the training series [PDF]Access the training series [PDF]






1 Demographic Snapshot of South Asians in the United States, Strengthening South
Asian Communities in America.
2019, https://saalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SAALT-Demographic-Snapshot-2019.pdfhttps://saalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SAALT-Demographic-Snapshot-2019.pdf.

2 Krishnan, Sandeep. Cover Story – South Asians and Cardiovascular Disease: The
Hidden Threat.  American College of Cardiology. 17 May 2019.
https://www.acc.orghttps://www.acc.org

3 Stanford South Asian Translational Heart Initiative, Stanford Healthcare,
2021, https://stanfordhealthcare.orghttps://stanfordhealthcare.org.


4 Narayan, K.M.V., and Kanaya, A.M., Why are South Asians Prone to Type 2
Diabetes? A Hypothesis Based on Underexplored Pathways, Diabetologia 63, 2020,
pp.
1103–1109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05132-5https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05132-5.

5 Diabetes and Asian Americans, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2021, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/spotlights/diabetes-asian-americans.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/spotlights/diabetes-asian-americans.html


SOUTH ASIANS AND HEART HEALTH: TAKE CONTROL NOW




EQUIPPING CLINICIANS WITH INSIGHTS INTO SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH DISPARITIES




CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE LIFESTYLE CHANGES ARE OF KEY IMPORTANCE FOR SOUTH ASIANS








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