Investing in Health of 1.8 billion People

A $500,000 Campaign to Advance the MASALA Study

Executive Summary

The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study is the largest and longest-running research study of heart disease and diabetes of South Asians in the United States. For 15 years, MASALA has followed over 2,300 participants to explain why South Asians develop heart disease at rates two to four times more often than other groups and often a decade earlier. MASALA’s findings have already helped shape national guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association, supported by more than $23.6 million in NIH funding. Today, NIH funding challenges threaten to slow this important work. Indian Circle for Caring USA (ICC) is partnering with MASALA researchers at UCSF, Northwestern University, and New York University to raise $500,000 for critical biomarker and genetic analyses—helping turn 15 years of research into new insights that could improve and save lives in the South Asian community.

Background: The MASALA Study

Launched in 2010, MASALA is an NIH-funded study focused on understanding why South Asians face higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. Led by researchers at UC San Francisco (Dr. Alka Kanaya), Northwestern University (Dr. Namratha Kandula), and NYU Langone Health (Dr. Nadia Islam), MASALA has followed 2,327 Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi adults over 15 years and produced more than 150 scientific publications.

MASALA’s impact extends beyond research. Its findings helped shape ICC’s Lifestyle Program with the South Asian Heart Center of California, which has reached more than 11,000 people. Today, MASALA provides the scientific foundation for programs improving South Asian health in communities across the country.

Why This Study Matters for the South Asian Community

●         Earlier heart disease: South Asians often develop heart disease up to a decade earlier than other groups, even without traditional risk factors.

●         Different diabetes risk: MASALA has identified important differences in how diabetes develops in South Asians, helping inform better screening and prevention.

●         Changed national guidelines: MASALA findings helped lower the BMI threshold for diabetes screening in Asian Americans and establish South Asians as a high-risk group for heart disease.

●         A unique resource: MASALA has built the nation’s most comprehensive long-term collection of health data and biological samples from South Asians, creating opportunities for new discoveries.

●         Closing a research gap: South Asians make up nearly a quarter of the world’s population but remain underrepresented in cardiovascular research.

What Remains to Be Achieved

With its NIH-funded cohort and infrastructure already in place, MASALA’s next phase will use advanced biomarker science and artificial intelligence to uncover new insights into aging, heart disease, and diabetes. This $500,000 campaign will fund the highest-priority science to move this work forward:

Beyond this immediate goal, MASALA's full next-stage research agenda totals $1.3 million and includes whole-body DEXA scanning ($400,000) to measure muscle, bone, and fat composition — opportunities for continued partnership as the campaign grows.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite individuals, families, and organizations to join this effort at a level that is meaningful to them. Every gift directly funds a specific, named component of the research.

At this critical time let us empower MASALA study to continue this important work.

For 15 years, MASALA has turned South Asian community participation into scientific breakthroughs that protect millions of lives worldwide. With your support, this vital work continues. To discuss a gift, sponsorship or any question, please contact Girish Mehta, Indian Circle for Caring USA (ICC), cell: 781-888-3200, girishmehta@ouricc.org