VANCOUVER, February 25, 2013 – Indices of diabetes and heart disease in the South Asian community are up to three times higher than the in general population. The launch of the South Asian Health Institute in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey, home to the third largest South Asian population in Canada, is an important initiative towards providing culturally appropriate solutions to this epidemic.

The institute will form part of the Frasier Health Authority which provides integrated health care service to more than 1.6 million people living in the community. “The health of our community is one of our strongest assets and we must guard it with great care. The South Asian Health Institute will provide community focused services in one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing regions,” said Senator Asha Seth.

“The South Asian Health Institute will aim to provide culturally appropriate early intervention and management of chronic conditions which are caused by both environmental and hereditary factors,” said Dr. Nigel Murray, president of the Frasier Health Authority.

Canada India Network Society president and 2011 Award of Excellence in Medicinal Practice recipient, Dr. Arun Garg, will lead the institute as medical director. “The institute will build on current programs at the health authority and foster new collaborations to improve the health of South Asian,” said Dr. Garg.