Mission

SAHELI is dedicated to improving South Asian health in partnership with communities through culturally tailored, research-proven interventions.

Why SAHELI?

South Asians are four times more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes at a younger age compared to many other ethnic groups.

South Asians have a high burden of heart disease risk factors, two of which are low physical activity and poor diet. Improving diet, physical activity, weight, and stress management can reduce heart disease and diabetes risk. Even though South Asians are one of the fastest growing groups in the U.S., they are underrepresented in research.

As the South Asian population in the U.S. continues to rise, the need for interventions that address heart disease using a culturally tailored method grows as well.

In 2010, SAHELI used community-based participatory research (CBPR) to design and test a lifestyle intervention  to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes in the South Asian community.

What We've Achieved

SAHELI has engaged with community partners, established trust, and helped to create equally beneficial goals in the community. SAHELI has successfully used cultural and traditional ways to improve diet, physical activity, stress management, and weight in the Desi community. The purpose of the study is to help people make long-term healthy changes by increasing self-motivation, self-monitoring, and goal setting.