About the Initiative
Hamara Health’s multilingual education program, commonly known as Namaskar Wellness, is dedicated to providing tailored health education materials to South Asian communities.
Our outreach program aims to continue rolling-out evidence-based educational materials on South Asian health disparities, with an accompanying team of volunteers to bring this knowledge directly to the community. Our culturally informed content covers a wide range of South Asian health topics in an easy-to-understand format, with volunteers fluent in several languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu. If you represent a community group interested in our outreach program, please contact us with an inquiry!
Namaskar Wellness
Hamara Health’s multilingual education program, commonly known as Namaskar Wellness, is dedicated to providing tailored health education materials to South Asian communities. Our culturally informed content covers a wide range of South Asian health topics, from nutrition to physical well-being, in an easy-to-understand format across several languages, including English, Gujarati, and Hindi. With the expertise of healthcare professionals, our mission is to empower individuals with health knowledge, promoting health equity and informed decision-making. Join us in bridging the gap in health literacy and fostering well-being across South Asian patient populations.
Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and a particular concern within the South Asian community. South Asians have a higher risk of heart and vascular disease than any other ethnic group, accounting for an estimated 60% of the world’s heart disease patients. South Asians have a 40% higher chance of mortality than the average population, and have been shown to develop coronary artery disease up to 10 years earlier than the general population. Historically, the South Asian community has been underrepresented in clinical trials and research, though ongoing, landmark projects such as the MASALA and OurHealth studies hope to make tremendous strides in the upcoming years.
Though South Asians are at greater risk for poor cardiovascular health, it is important to note that healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, balanced diets, managing stress levels, monitoring alcohol intake, and avoiding tobacco use can dramatically contribute to improved well-being. With an increasing attention towards this generational problem, we can work together to take action and improve our community’s health together. Please visit our resources section to learn more!
Metabolic Disease
Metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes, go hand-in-hand with the elevated risk for cardiovascular conditions in the South Asian community. Diabetes is a disease where blood sugar levels are elevated higher than normal. Typically, food is broken down into a sugar called glucose, which is carried to cells throughout the body. Cells use the hormone insulin to help them process this glucose into energy. In type I diabetes, there is a lack of insulin production; in type II diabetes, there is resistance to insulin.
Similarly to cardiovascular disease, a healthy lifestyle can help to decrease the risk for diabetes. It can be especially beneficial to work with culturally-competent nutritionists to find a healthy diet that maintains the rich flavors in South Asian cuisines, and it is crucial to seek routine medical care to ensure early detection of any abnormalities. Visit the resources linked below to learn more about diabetes!
Mental Health
Mental health has long been neglected in many South Asian communities, leaving many individuals to suffer in silence due to the stigma behind their mental health. In attempts to showcase resilience, our communities have often encouraged the suppression of mental health struggles, to the detriment of our fulfillment, happiness, safety, and health. Studies have consistently shown markedly high rates of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and tobacco use in South Asian countries. Meanwhile, South Asian immigrants in North America and the U.K. have a higher susceptibility to various mental conditions, particularly depression and anxiety, than non-immigrant counterparts in host countries. Studies in older South Asian adults are limited, but it is believed that they face a disproportionately higher psychosocial stress, especially older women.
South Asian youth in the U.S. are at greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with potential precipitating factors including familial conflicts, cultural conflicts, gender role expectations, struggles with sexuality, domestic violence, substance abuse, and burnout from professional expectations. Mental health truly affects everyone, and at Hamara Health, we hope to break these barriers and build a safer space within our community, where we can share these generational traumas and build a brighter future together.
Infectious Diseases
South Asian countries are home to a vast array of endemic infectious diseases, including malaria, typhoid, dengue, rheumatic heart disease, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDs, hepatitis (particularly hepatitis E), cholera, and many more. Particular challenges to infectious disease prevention include insufficiently purified water sources, inadequate vaccination rates, and high population densities. It is crucial for individuals to seek medical care when fallen ill, seek appropriate immunizations, practice hand washing and masking, ensure sanitary food production, and filter water sources.
It is also important to recognize the disproportionate effects that socioeconomic factors including poverty, literacy, caste, race, and geography have on an individual’s ability to implement best practices. To reduce the burden of infectious diseases requires systemic change, calling for a collective action and underscoring the importance of advocacy. For foreign visitors traveling to South Asian countries, it is critical to follow appropriate immunization guidance. Please find in our compiled resources a comprehensive list of diseases endemic to South Asian countries with best practices for prevention, along with a complete set of travel recommendations for visitors.
Sun Safety
Sun protection is critical throughout the year, not just during the hot summer months, as prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to substantial health effects. Exposure to ultraviolet rays can result in sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Oftentimes, members of the South Asian community neglect the importance of sun protection due to a false belief that having more melanin makes us “immune” to adverse effects of sun. However, studies have continued to reaffirm the importance of following sun protection techniques, including the use of sunscreen, wearing long-sleeved clothing on sunny days, and staying in the shade when outdoors for long periods of time.
Recommendations For Cardiovascular Disease Prevention With South Asian Diet
Hamara Health is excited to share our infographic brochures detailing lifestyle modifications to promote heart-healthy diets among South Asians. Our brochures are available in English and Gujarati, and we encourage you to share them with your friends and family!