1 hr ago

US Bill Targets South Asian Heart Disease Risk With Research

Some South Asian Americans in the United States have a higher risk of heart disease.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a bill to help address this problem.

The bill would provide grants to states and community organizations.

The money could support lessons about healthy food, exercise and nutrition.

It could also help doctors and researchers study South Asian heart-health risks more closely.

Lawmakers said current health data does not always separate South Asian Americans from other Asian American and Pacific Islander groups.

This makes it harder to understand their specific health outcomes.

The bill would require the health secretary to report to Congress about the funded programmes and information collected.

Key facts

Bill: South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act
Reported risk: Lawmakers said South Asians in the United States face four times the general population’s heart-disease risk.
Ten-year risk: Nearly two-thirds of middle-aged South Asian Americans reportedly face an intermediate or high risk of heart failure within 10 years.
Eligible activities: State grants could support nutrition, diet, exercise, community health-promotion activities, conferences and workshops.
Data issue: Lawmakers said federal agencies do not adequately disaggregate health data for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Funding period: Funding would be authorized through 2028.
Supporters: Supporters include the American Heart Association, Indian American Impact and South Asian medical and public-health organizations.

thehansindia.com · 2 hrs ago