Diabetes Screening Event at Sikh Cultural Society Ramps Up UNITED SIKHS’ Health Focus

Highlights:

• Nearly 200 community members attended the Diabetes Screening Event at the Sikh Cultural Society in Richmond Hill, New York
  
• UNITED SIKHS is focusing on health programs that address the disparity in availability and access to healthcare services
• UNITED SIKHS now conducting a Diabetes Education classes for the community in Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill, New York: On September 19, 2010, nearly 200 community members in Richmond Hill, New York attended the UNITED SIKHS Diabetes Screening Event, held at The Sikh Cultural Society. Participants in the event received screenings to check their height, weight, Body Mass Index, as well as blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels and also received information on diabetes prevention and management from healthcare providers.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 171 million have diabetes, and they predict the number to be more than double by 2030. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reports that nearly 500,000 – one in every eight adults – is diagnosed with diabetes in the city alone. Very little information exists about the rate of diabetes in the South Asian population and which factors contribute to its onset.

Recognizing the gap that exists in availability of health information and access to services, UNITED SIKHS health programs will now focus on bridging this gap. “We have been conducting health fairs and bringing health services to the community for a number of years, and we now see a real need for health education within the community, so we are focusing on programs that fulfill these needs,” said Rucha Kavathe, who coordinates health projects for the organization. “UNITED SIKHS is bringing to the community new programs that focus on educating the community about diabetes management, and link them to services they need to lead healthy lives.”

In addition to receiving screenings at the event, attendees also filled out a survey detailing their knowledge about diabetes and its risks, diet, nutrition, physical activity, and sources of health information. The survey data are an important contribution to a scant body of knowledge on diabetes and its prevalence in the South Asian community. The data was gathered as part of Project RICE (Reaching Immigrants through Community Empowerment), in collaboration with Health Promotion and Prevention Research Center (PRC) at the New York University School of Medicine, supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

UNITED SIKHS is grateful to the Gurdwara committee at the Sikh Cultural Center for providing the logistical assistance, all the volunteers who assisted with the screening event, Health Promotion and Prevention Research Center (PRC) at the New York University School of Medicine and the New York University College of Nursing for their support. We would particularly like to acknowledge the invaluable guidance of Dr. Jogesh Syalee and Dr. Harmeet Singh Narula in coordinating the health fair.

As part of our growing health initiatives, UNITED SIKHS is conducting Diabetes Education classes for the community in Richmond Hill, NY. This 6 week program focuses on providing tools that will assist in understanding and managing diabetes for people who have or know someone who has diabetes. For more information on enrolling into the class, contact educare@unitedsikhs.org.

For a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS health projects, please visit: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-10-06-2010-00.html

Issued by:
Herpreet Kaur
PR and Media Associate
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