Close X
Monday, November 4, 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

    Advanced 3D facial imaging may detect autism early

    Advanced 3D facial imaging may detect autism early
    Using advanced 3D facial imaging techniques, researchers at University of Missouri have identified facial measurements in children with autism...

    Advanced 3D facial imaging may detect autism early

    DNA 'glue' can help grow tissues, organs

    DNA 'glue' can help grow tissues, organs
    DNA molecules can act as a glue to hold together 3D-printed materials that could be used to grow tissues and organs in the lab, researchers report....

    DNA 'glue' can help grow tissues, organs

    Blocking hormone can fix stress-induced infertility

    Blocking hormone can fix stress-induced infertility
    Chronic stress activates a hormone that reduces fertility long after the stress has ended, but blocking this hormone returns female reproductive...

    Blocking hormone can fix stress-induced infertility

    Inherited viruses make us smarter

    Inherited viruses make us smarter
    Long thought to be "junk DNA" of no real use, millions of years old inherited viruses actually play an important role in making the human brain dynamic and...

    Inherited viruses make us smarter

    Virtual game can detect mild cognitive impairment

    Virtual game can detect mild cognitive impairment
    A team of Greek researchers has shown the potential of a virtual reality brain training game as a screening tool for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)....

    Virtual game can detect mild cognitive impairment

    Nasal insulin spray may treat Alzheimer's disease

    Nasal insulin spray may treat Alzheimer's disease
    Nasal spray of a man-made form of insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood, may improve working memory in adults with mild...

    Nasal insulin spray may treat Alzheimer's disease