Addressing a Growing Community’s Health Needs: Project SAHNA (South Asian Health Needs Assessment)

Limited data and research is available on the health issues faced by the South Asian population, especially for those living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Online and in-person surveys were administered to a convenience sample (n = 709) of South Asians living in the metropolitan Washington DC region. The survey gathered information on socio-demographics and acculturation; health care access and utilization; sources of health information; perceptions of community health; physical activity and smoking. While over 70 % of participants had a routine physical exam in the last 12 months, foreign born and less acculturated adults were less likely to have had a routine visit in the last 12 months. Internet (76.9 %) and physicians (76.1 %) are key sources of health information for South Asians. Only 29 % of South Asians are engaging in the recommended amount of physical activity per week. The results of this study provide guidance for future work in addressing the health and well-being of South Asian communities in the United States.