The conference focused on early detection, cardiometabolic risk, diabetes technology, health equity and prevention.
Our Bureau
Somerset, NJ
The SKN Foundation, through its South Asian Diabetes Health (SADH) initiative, brought together over 150 leading physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, community leaders and members of the public on September 9 for a day focused on advancing diabetes prevention, early detection and care in South Asian communities.
The 2026 conference, “Advancing Diabetes Care in South Asians Across the Lifespan: Redefining Early Detection & Prevention Frameworks,” was held at The Imperia in Somerset, New Jersey. The program combined a professional conference for healthcare providers with an evening educational program designed for individuals and families.
South Asian populations experience a disproportionate burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, including elevated risk, earlier disease onset and challenges related to timely diagnosis and culturally responsive care. The conference brought together international expertise and community-based education to address these challenges and explore approaches to earlier intervention and prevention.
“The cardiometabolic health of South Asian Americans is both an urgent challenge and an important opportunity to rethink how we approach prevention, early detection, and care,” said Dr. Naveen Mehrotra, Founding Director of SKN Foundation. “Bringing experts, healthcare professionals and the community together is an important part of advancing that conversation and translating knowledge into action.”
Global Expertise in Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Health
The morning program for healthcare professionals featured experts in diabetes, cardiovascular health, technology, prevention and population health.
Dr. Viswanathan Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in Chennai, India, discussed diabetes among South Asians across the lifespan, drawing on decades of research and clinical experience.
Dr. Khurram Nasir, Chief of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Wellness at Houston Methodist, joined the program virtually to address risk stratification and screening for cardiometabolic and cardiovascular disease among South Asian populations.
Dr. David C. Klonoff, President of the Diabetes Technology Society and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, examined emerging trends in diabetes technology and the potential role of innovative tools in improving patient care.
Dr. Vasan Ramachandran, Founding Dean of the Kate Marmion School of Public Health at UT San Antonio and former Principal Investigator and Director of the Framingham Heart Study, addressed health disparities affecting South Asian populations and the importance of prevention and population-based approaches.
The professional program included discussion and audience questions, giving healthcare professionals an opportunity to consider how advances in research, screening and technology can be translated into earlier intervention and more culturally responsive care.
Connecting Medical Expertise with Community Education
The day’s program continued in the evening with a special community presentation by Dr. Mohan “Can We Prevent—and Even Reverse—Type 2 Diabetes?”
Speaking to individuals and families, Dr. Mohan translated decades of research and clinical experience into practical information about diabetes prevention and management. His presentation highlighted the roles of lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity, screening and early intervention. The evening concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, giving community members an opportunity to engage directly with the renowned diabetes expert.
By bringing healthcare professionals and the public together through complementary programs, SKN Foundation sought to connect advances in medical knowledge with practical community education and action. The September 9 programs also underscored the importance of collaboration among physicians, researchers, volunteers, community organizations, supporters and sponsors in addressing health disparities.
The conference is part of SKN Foundation’s continuing work to promote wellness through education and address health disparities within South Asian communities. Through its SADH initiative, the Foundation supports diabetes awareness, early detection, culturally responsive education, health navigation and prevention initiatives.
About SKN Foundation
Shri Krishna Nidhi (SKN) Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the total wellness of individuals and communities through education. Its programs address health disparities and community needs through education, prevention, advocacy, outreach, and empowerment. For more information about SKN Foundation and its programs, visit its website.