Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

    Myths About Noon Nap Busted

    Myths About Noon Nap Busted
    It is often believed that an afternoon nap can do a body good. But there are people who are not convinced with the power of the afternoon snooze.

    Myths About Noon Nap Busted

    Regulation of brain molecule could help marijuana addicts

    Regulation of brain molecule could help marijuana addicts
    A natural molecule that activates cannabinoid receptors in the brain could relieve mood and anxiety disorders and enable some people to quit....

    Regulation of brain molecule could help marijuana addicts

    Even mild heart disease increases mortality risk for diabetic patients

    Even mild heart disease increases mortality risk for diabetic patients
    A large-scale study involving 40,000 patients from 17 centres around the world has found that diabetic patients with even mild coronary artery disease face...

    Even mild heart disease increases mortality risk for diabetic patients

    'Ebola vaccine showing promising results'

    'Ebola vaccine showing promising results'
    Two Ebola vaccines undergoing clinical trials have shown promising results and would be deployed in January 2015 to West African countries affected by the...

    'Ebola vaccine showing promising results'

    US Institute To Study Sexual Habits Of Obese Girls

    US Institute To Study Sexual Habits Of Obese Girls
    The US National Institute for Health (NIH) has collaborated with researchers from the University of Pittsburgh' Magee-Women's Research Institute to study the sexual habits of obese girls.

    US Institute To Study Sexual Habits Of Obese Girls

    Toy-related Injuries On The Rise In US

    Toy-related Injuries On The Rise In US
    The study highlights that while playing with toys helps children to develop, learn, and explore, parents should also note that many toys pose an injury risk to children.

    Toy-related Injuries On The Rise In US