As a first-year undergraduate pursuing a B.S.P.H. in Nutrition at the Gillings School of Public Health, I am studying the underlying factors behind why South Asian populations are disproportionately affected by diet-related chronic diseases. Witnessing the impact of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in my family’s lives, especially my mother’s, made this issue deeply personal. As Co-President of the Spice and Wellness Society, I have directed educational initiatives, such as the development of a culturally informed recipe book and monthly educational articles, to promote healthier dietary choices in the Indian community.
