The Problem
South Asians face a heightened risk of diabetes and hypertension, with genetic factors contributing to double the risk of heart disease, four times the risk of diabetes, and a 50% likelihood of heart attacks before age 55. Despite these alarming statistics, many South Asians remain unaware of their susceptibility to these conditions. One subgroup that exemplifies this challenge is the Punjabi-Sikh population. Punjabi-Sikhs frequent the Gurdwara, a sacred temple where the community gathers for worship, reflection, and communal activities. My experiences at the San Jose Gurdwara's free clinic, working as a medical volunteer for the past 1.5 years, highlight the repercussions of this knowledge gap. A staggering 90% of our patients exhibit diabetes and/or hypertension. Most are unaware of preventive measures and the significance of factors like diet and exercise.
Our Plan
Observing the Gurdwara as a family-centric environment, where multiple generations gather every Sunday, I see potential for impactful interventions. Many of our patients have young kids or grandkids who attend the Sunday Khalsa school. I aim to leverage the influential role that children play in shaping their parents' lifestyles by implementing educational interventions, aiming to ultimately cultivate healthier habits within families. Working with a team of other volunteers at the clinic, my project seeks to create educational sessions at the Sunday Khalsa school. Topics will include healthy eating, the importance of sleep, exercise, and meditation, along with addressing the heightened susceptibility of South Asians to certain health conditions. Students will engage in interactive assignments with their families to ensure the information reaches home, such as eating challenges and maintaining sleep/exercise logs.
