Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
Health

South Asians In US More Prone To Heart Attacks, Diabetes

IANS, 24 Jul, 2015 01:26 PM
    South Asians in US are more prone to heart attacks and diabetes when compared to other ethnic groups, it was highlighted at a health congress here.
     
    The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has highlighted various preventive healthcare initiatives at the First World Congress on Preventive Healthcare 2015 in Houston, Texas.
     
    Aimed at creating global awareness about preventive healthcare, the three-day Congress held July 10-12 was part of the North American Bengali Conference (NABC) 2015, organized by Tagore Society of Houston.
     
    The Congress highlighted that one American dies every 40 seconds in the US from cardiovascular diseases. A disproportionate burden of this risk is seen in the 3.4 million South Asians who live in the US.
     
    The risks for heart attacks and cardiovascular death can be up to five times higher for South Asians when compared to other ethnic groups.
     
    The total number of people with diabetes is projected to rise from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030.
     
    In 2012, 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3 percent of the population, had diabetes and 13 percent of Asian Indians had diabetes.
     
    While South Asians have a one in three lifetime risk for developing diabetes, total costs of diagnosed diabetes in the US in 2012 were $245 billion.
     
    Dr. Sumita Chowdhury, chairperson for the Congress, appealed to the South Asian community to help conquer the epidemics of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes by joining the the South Asian Cardiovascular Registry.
     
    Bringing together all stakeholders in healthcare to formulate a shared vision towards prevention of disease, the Congress was intended to create sustainable measures for prevention that can be adapted worldwide and integrated into the fabric of life.
     
     
    The forum was a way to evaluate the factors contributing to the increased disease risk among South Asians and help to formulate awareness campaigns to help modify risk factors that are specific to this ethnic group.
     
    AAPI President Dr Seema Jain, highlighted various initiatives taken by the largest ethnic association of medical professionals in the US, in America and in India for preventing health risks and bringing the best healthcare to millions of people.
     
    An estimated 1.2 million physicians of Indian origin working around the world have made enormous contributions to the world of healthcare, she said.
     
    Jain pointed out that Indian-Americans constitute less than one percent of the population in the US, but they account for nearly nine percent of the physicians in the country.
     
    Serving in almost all parts of America, they are estimated to provide healthcare to over 40 million patients in the US, she said.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    UK House Of Commons OKs Making Babies From DNA Of 3 People To Avoid Passing On Fatal Diseases

    UK House Of Commons OKs Making Babies From DNA Of 3 People To Avoid Passing On Fatal Diseases
    LONDON — Britain's House of Commons gave preliminary approval Tuesday to permitting scientists to create babies from the DNA of three people, a technique that could protect some children from inheriting potentially fatal diseases from their mothers.

    UK House Of Commons OKs Making Babies From DNA Of 3 People To Avoid Passing On Fatal Diseases

    'Still Alice' Raises Awareness Of Alzheimer's, Albeit With Younger Than Usual Face

    'Still Alice' Raises Awareness Of Alzheimer's, Albeit With Younger Than Usual Face
    Her performance as a vibrant woman fading into the darkness of Alzheimer's is doing more than earning awards for actress Julianne Moore. The movie "Still Alice" is raising awareness of a disease too often suffered in isolation, even if the Hollywood face is younger than the typical real-life patient.

    'Still Alice' Raises Awareness Of Alzheimer's, Albeit With Younger Than Usual Face

    Toronto Reports 4 Unlinked Measles Cases; None Travelled, Means More Out There

    Toronto Reports 4 Unlinked Measles Cases; None Travelled, Means More Out There
    Toronto Public Health has recorded four cases of measles in two children and two adults within the past week. And a department official admits there are likely more cases in the city, because none of the infected people have recently travelled outside the country.

    Toronto Reports 4 Unlinked Measles Cases; None Travelled, Means More Out There

    Common Antibiotic Plus Heart Drug Raises Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death: Study

    Common Antibiotic Plus Heart Drug Raises Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death: Study
    TORONTO — A new study says older patients who take a commonly prescribed antibiotic with a diuretic widely used to treat heart failure can have an elevated risk of sudden cardiac death.

    Common Antibiotic Plus Heart Drug Raises Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death: Study

    Craigslist Hookups Behind Rise In HIV, Indian-Origin Professor Anindya Ghose Finds

    Craigslist Hookups Behind Rise In HIV, Indian-Origin Professor Anindya Ghose Finds
    Entry of the popular website Craigslist in a community is linked to 16 percent increase in HIV in that area, say researchers, including an Indian-origin professor Anindya Ghose from New York University's Stern School of Business.

    Craigslist Hookups Behind Rise In HIV, Indian-Origin Professor Anindya Ghose Finds

    30 Per Cent Of Kids Under 2 Not Vaccinated In Vancouver Area: Fraser Health

    30 Per Cent Of Kids Under 2 Not Vaccinated In Vancouver Area: Fraser Health
    SURREY, B.C. — A health authority says more than 30 per cent of children in the Vancouver area have not been vaccinated by their second birthday as per the recommended immunization schedule.

    30 Per Cent Of Kids Under 2 Not Vaccinated In Vancouver Area: Fraser Health