Easy and free fundraising for SAHF

Register on the following website and choose South Asian Health Foundation and each time you make a purchase on Amazon and various other online stores, simply click on Give as you Live and South Asian Health Foundation will receive a % of the cost without a cost to the shopper.

https://www.giveasyoulive.com/

Why I now Carry a Donor Card – by Jaya Patel

I first became an organ donor 6 months ago, when applying for my provisional driving licence. It had been something I had considered for a while, but didn’t feel informed enough to make the decision, as well as not being sure about whether I was actually old enough to make this decision, I wasn’t sure how my parents and wider family would respond, due to cultural and religious reasons. 

I personally believe that being an organ donor is hugely important as this decision, whilst not affecting my life, could change the lives of many more people. I believe that this is a huge privilege, as ultimately, by the time I have reached the stage where organ donation should be considered, nothing more can be done for me, but I could change and save so many more lives. 

There is lots of stigma around the issue of organ donation particularly in Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, which is founded upon cultural and religious traditions. This is one of the main reasons why there is a lack of BAME organ donation. I believe that many people of this demographic would consider organ donation, particularly those making up the younger demographic, as within this group, although there is huge stigma around organ donation,  I believe that with discussion as well as better education and communication, many more people of BAME backgrounds would consider becoming organ donors. 

In conclusion, I personally became an organ donor because of all the lives I could change or save, and something good could come out of what may be an upsetting event. It would also provide a source of comfort for my family, in what would be a distressing time. 

Help us understand what living with Type 2 Diabetes is like for you: Research Participants Needed

Research Participants Needed

We are conducting a study to explore the barriers and facilitators South Asian women with Type 2 diabetes may experience when making supportive lifestyle changes (diet and physical activity).

Please see attached poster or contact

Leher Gumber

(4th year medical student, Brighton and Sussex Medical School)

L.Gumber1@uni.bsms.ac.uk (Telephone: 07960 019291)

Focus Groups: Inactive South Asian Females

Focus Groups: Inactive South Asian Females 

Sporting Equals are running a number of focus groups in various cities to help capture insight into Inactive South Asian females We want to hear about the barriers and challenges to becoming more active and experiences of sport/physical activity.

To take part please contact Raj on 07807 069719 or info@sahf.org.uk 

UK Punjabis Alcohol Problem

Dr Gurprit Pannu, Member of the SAHF Mental Health Working Group has made headline news on UK Punjabis Alcohol Problem. A BBC survey suggesting 27% of British Sikhs report having someone in their family with an alcohol problem, it is an issue which can't be ignored. 

Alcoholism is a hidden problem in Britain's Punjabi community, because strictly speaking if you're Sikh you're not meant to drink. For many British Punjabis, alcohol abuse is an open secret. Alcohol consumption is glamorised across different aspects of Punjabi culture and shame stops many seeking the help that they need.

News items:

BBC TV

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0637qc9

BBC News

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-43505784

Awareness on type 2 diabetes in UK’s South Asian community encouraged in new report

Better education on the risks of type 2 diabetes is needed according to the South Asian Health Foundation (SAHF) as their newly published report highlighted misunderstandings about the condition in the South Asian community.

The recently published report showed that initial assumptions and fears about the complex condition can be challenged by tailored community engagement events. The report includes findings following events featuring debate and a short film on the risk factors of type 2 diabetes - Meethi Baatein (Sweet Talk). In particular attendees at events demonstrated an increase in their agreement that people of South Asian origin are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes by 10.3%.

Dr Kiran Patel Consultant Cardiologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer, NHS England Area Team Medical Director and Chair of Trustees, SAHF said:

“The shift in attitude and understanding of diabetes brought about by this community engagement programme is encouraging, it has made a difference to the lives of South Asians living with diabetes, as well as their families who attended the meetings. We have also seen an increased willingness towards engaging with healthcare professionals about treatment options, which is important as early engagement leads to long-term better outcomes.”

Drawing on lessons learned from the community education events organised by SAHF, the report South Asian community health education and empowerment in diabetes identified evidence of the beginning of a shift in attitude towards diabetes. In addition to a general increase in levels of awareness of the risks of diabetes and its complications, SAHF event staff experienced a new and real willingness to share experiences and concerns beyond immediate family.

Type 2 diabetes is a key health risk for people of South Asian origin:

• They are between three and six times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes when compared to white Europeans
• An estimated 388,000 people of South Asian origin have type 2 diabetes, which can lead to further complications such as heart disease
• People of South Asian origin tend to develop diabetes at an earlier age, with an associated increase in the risk of disease-related complications
• Traditional South Asian cultural factors can also impact the management of diabetes

Professor Wasim Hanif, Consultant Physician in Diabetes and Endocrinology, and Chair Diabetes Working Group, SAHF added:

“Our report sets out a number of recommendations that will help transform the lives of people living with diabetes and their close families. We saw that many South Asian communities embraced the idea of exercise classes, and there is considerable scope to deliver rapid lifestyle and dietary changes through simple messaging on easy changes that is visually expressed. The changing attitudes suggest that now is the time for healthcare commissioners, HCPs and the Third Sector to focus efforts on delivering effective interventions.”

Welcoming the report, Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes at NHS England, said:

"This excellent initiative provides many important insights in to how South Asian communities can be further empowered to reduce their particularly high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also empowers those that already have diabetes to improve their self-management and so reduce their risk of developing the complications of diabetes."

Targeting all the main cultures across the South Asian community, some 11 events were hosted by SAHF and local organisations in community centres, temples and GP practices, from Glasgow down London. The events aimed to address issues of awareness and understanding of diabetes across the ‘at risk’ populations in South Asian communities in the UK and were funded and supported by Novo Nordisk