Obesity Lead to Pancreatic Cancer Risk?

The New York Times Health section highlighted a study soon to be published in The Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that obesity accounts for 27 percent of the pancreatic cancer risk. Smoking and diabetes also increased the risk of pancreatic cancer, however, obesity was the leading cause.

In 2000, the South Asian Public Health Association published a Brown Paper reporting obesity as a leading chronic disease concern amongst South Asian Americans. With now obesity being a factor in pancreatic cancer, what does this mean for SAA?

Immigrants Denied U.S. Visa's Due to HIV/AIDS Status

The New York Times today highlighted a Human Rights Watch report which indicates that immigrants are being discriminated against receiving U.S. visa's because they have AIDS. According to the report, "about a third of the world's countries limit the right of people with HIV to enter or stay, even if their disease is controlled with drugs. Although the report does not focus on South Asian countries, with an increased rate of HIV/AIDS, particularly in India, this report highlights the health disparities among individuals suffering from the disease.

"The Myth of the Burdensome Immigrants"

In the May edition of SAMAR magazine Sapna Pandya and Prantik Saha published an article on "Xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments situate South Asian and other immigrant communities as burdens on the health care system, missing the barriers, racism and classism they experience. To meet the needs of immigrant workers, these structural inequalities need to be addressed and considered in proposals for US health care reform."

For more information and to read the entire report, please visit: http://www.samarmagazine.org/archive/article.php?id=291 

CATCH Leadership Training: July 9-11, 2009

Community Advocacy & Training on Cancer & Health (CATCH)

Leadership Training

July 9-11, 2009

Orange County, California

Registration: FREE

Location: St. Joseph Hospital

Center for Cancer Prevention & Treatment

Deadlines: July 2, 2009

This 2 1/2 day training offers Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, community members, and health advocates the opportunity to learn how to:

• Provide individuals, groups and communities with the necessary training, tools, and skills to be competent, confident, and effective spokespersons, advocates, and leaders with regard to AA and NHPI communities.
  
• Enhance personal and community capacities for advocacy and leadership on cancer control issues across the cancer care continuum.

RSVP: July 2, 2009 

Contact Mavis for more details: 415.568.3311 or cdprogram@apiahf.org

Asian Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health: Call for Nominations

Asian Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health

Call for Nominations: Deadline June 26, 2009

The Asian Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health in official relations with the American Public Health Association (APHA) is seeking nominations for the following Executive Committee positions for the term starting November 2009:

• Chair-Elect (2-year term)
  
• Program Chair-Elect (2-year term)
  
• Communications Chair (2-year term)
  
• Membership Chair (2-year term)
• Treasurer (2-year term)
• Student Representative (1-year term)
• Caucus Councilor (2 openings; 2-year term)

These positions offer the opportunity to actively participate in a national-level organization with the specific goal to address the public health issues of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Positions are filled on a voluntary basis and require serving as an Executive Committee member of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. All terms will begin at the conclusion of this year's APHA annual meeting in November 2009. 

Please submit name and a brief bio for nominated (or self-nominated) individuals to Fahina Tavake-Pasi at secretary@apicaucus.org by 11:59pm (ET) Friday, June 26, 2009.

Race for the Cure - THANK YOU

Thank you all for those that supported Team SAHEP in the Race for the Cure! With your help we were able to raise more than $2300 towards Susan G. Komen and have a team of close to 10 people at the race. SAHEP appreciates everyone's support.

Please keep an eye out for future SAHEP events