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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), the Democratic and Republican Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans today joined former Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in efforts to secure funding for the study of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among Indian Americans.
According to preliminary research conducted by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), cardiovascular disease and diabetes have had a severe and disproportionate impact on the Indian American community. The organization says that the number of incidents occurring in Indian Americans may be among the highest in the world for both men and women, and are possibly two to three times higher than the general U.S. population.
In a letter sent today to the Chairman and the Ranking member of the House appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education, Ackerman, Ros-Lehtinen and Pallone—joined by 18 members of the caucus—urged that approximately $2 million per year over 3 years be awarded to study the two ailments in Indian Americans. Under the request, the study—originally proposed by Pallone—would be included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006. The study would be conducted by AAPI.
Current research on Asian American health issues does not adequately address the health needs of Indian Americans. Most scientific studies on people of Indian decent have only been conducted in India or the United Kingdom with very few in the United States. In addition, programs coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies to eliminate health disparities among subpopulations such as Asian Pacific Islanders (API), study the API population as a whole; an approach that may mask health problems and disparities that exist between APIs generally and Indian Americans. Hence, it is difficult to estimate the true incidence and prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among Indian Americans.
“It is of vital importance that we gather this much needed data from Indian Americans across the U.S.” Ackerman said. “Such information can help determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Indian Americans and help us explore ways to address the problem.”
“This study, which I wholeheartedly support, would address the current gaps in cardiovascular disease and diabetes research among Indian-Americans living in the U.S.” Ros-Lehtinen said. “This much-needed information, would then lead to an increased awareness within the Indian-American community.”
"The prevalence of diabetes is strikingly high among immigrant Asian Indians in the United States," Pallone said. "It's time Congress provides the needed funds so a comprehensive multi-year study can be conducted. We need to discover not only why Indian Americans are disproportionately affected by this disease, but also ways we can intervene to reverse this disturbing trend."
"As physicians, we know that this research is an essential and critical first step towards educating Indian Americans about the unique factors of Indian American culture, diet and trends which contribute to the high incidence of these deadly illnesses” said AAPI President Dr. Vijay Koli, who also serves as a family physician in San Antonio, Texas. “The bottom line is that the results of this study will save lives for generations to come."
Americans of Asian Indian descent represent the third largest Asian American group in the United States and one the fastest growing immigrant groups. There are currently 1.6 million Indian-Americans and this number has grown by 106% over the last 10 years.
A copy of the letter is attached.
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July 27, 2005
The Honorable Ralph Regula The Honorable David R. Obey
Chairman Ranking Member
Subcommittee on L/HHS/E/RA Subcommittee on L/HHS/E/RA
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations
2358 Rayburn House Office Building 1016 Longworth House Office Building
Dear Chairman Regula and Ranking Member Obey:
As Members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, we would like to express our strong support for funding a longitudinal study to gather data on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among Indian-Americans.
Americans of Asian Indian descent represent the third largest Asian American group in the United States and one the fastest growing immigrant groups. There are currently 1.6 million Indian-Americans and this number has grown by 106% over the last 10 years. Despite these increasing numbers, the current body of research on Asian American health issues does not adequately address the health needs of the Americans of Asian Indian decent. Preliminary research by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has indicated that diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes have had a severe impact on the Indian-American community and that the incidences of these diseases among Indian-Americans may be among the highest in the world for both men and women, and are possibly two- to three-times higher than the general US population.
Most scientific studies on Asian Indians have been conducted in populations living in India or the United Kingdom, with very few population-based studies on Asian Indian immigrants in the United States. In addition, programs coordinated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies to eliminate health disparities among subpopulations such as Asian Pacific Islanders (API) study the API population as an aggregate, an approach that may mask health problems and disparities that exist between APIs generally and Indian Americans. Furthermore, because risk factors for chronic diseases (both behavioral and biological) increase as individuals migrate from developing countries to westernized countries, the use of incidence/prevalence data available for native Indians in India with immigrant Asian Indians in the United States will provide with an incorrect estimate. Hence, it is difficult to estimate the true incidence and prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among Indian Americans.
We support the request by Congressman Frank Pallone to fund a longitudinal study to be conducted by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) to gather much-needed primary data from Indian Americans across the U.S. Beginning in FY2006, the cost of this study will be approximately $2 million per year for 3 years. This request succeeds Congress’ FY2003 appropriation of $500,000 to AAPI through the Centers for Disease Control to begin the initial preparations for this longitudinal study.
We, therefore, urge you to provide full funding for this important study in the FY06 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
Sincerely,
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