# Mental Health, Trauma, and Cardiovascular Risk Within South Asian Diaspora

## TL;DR

South Asian immigrants in the U.S. face higher heart disease risks due to trauma from stress and discrimination, and community-based care can help.

## Contribution

Links multidimensional trauma and systemic discrimination to cardiovascular risk in South Asians using community-based interventions.

## Key findings

- Chronic stress and systemic discrimination contribute to cardiovascular disease in South Asian immigrants.
- Community-rooted organizations like SAWC-Boston offer effective, culturally grounded mental health interventions.
- Disaggregating 'Asian American' health data is essential for identifying South Asian-specific risks.

## Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Addresses the disproportionate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among South Asian immigrants as a consequence of multidimensional trauma.Situates physiological health outcomes within the context of systemic discrimination and immigration-related psychological stress.

Addresses the disproportionate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among South Asian immigrants as a consequence of multidimensional trauma.

Situates physiological health outcomes within the context of systemic discrimination and immigration-related psychological stress.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
Utilizes the “weathering” hypothesis and allostatic load framework to explain how chronic stress translates into biological cardiovascular markers.Highlights the critical role of community-rooted organizations (South Asian Workers’ Center-Boston) in bridging the gap between marginalized populations and formal healthcare.

Utilizes the “weathering” hypothesis and allostatic load framework to explain how chronic stress translates into biological cardiovascular markers.

Highlights the critical role of community-rooted organizations (South Asian Workers’ Center-Boston) in bridging the gap between marginalized populations and formal healthcare.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
Advocacy for trauma-informed, culturally responsive care models that prioritize psychological safety and linguistic accessibility.Emphasizes the necessity of disaggregating “Asian American” health data to identify specific risks within South Asian subgroups for targeted policy intervention.

Advocacy for trauma-informed, culturally responsive care models that prioritize psychological safety and linguistic accessibility.

Emphasizes the necessity of disaggregating “Asian American” health data to identify specific risks within South Asian subgroups for targeted policy intervention.

South Asian immigrants in the United States face disproportionate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, rooted in multidimensional trauma stemming from immigration stress, sociocultural stigma, and systemic discrimination. This paper situates these health disparities within a broader public mental health crisis, examining the intricate relationship between chronic psychological stress, intergenerational trauma, and CVD outcomes. Applying theoretical frameworks such as intersectionality and allostatic load, we explore how cumulative biopsychosocial consequences contribute to the co-morbidity of CVD and mental health disorders in South Asian communities. The study highlights SAWC-Boston’s community-based public mental health intervention, which employs culturally grounded, trauma-informed strategies to address these complex health challenges. This intervention serves as a model for addressing health disparities through community-centered approaches.