New Delhi

Dawoodi Bohra communities across the United States of America addressed the growing challenge of diabetes, or "silent epidemic," in November.

Under the aegis of Project Rise, the community’s global philanthropic initiative, community centres from Boston to Bakersfield hosted walks, nutrition seminars, and mass awareness drives to improve health literacy surrounding diabetes.

The campaign aligned with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) thrust on early recognition and the lifestyle changes that are proven to prevent Type 2 diabetes. This is particularly urgent for the Dawoodi Bohra community, as CDC data indicates a higher prevalence of the condition among South Asian populations.

A doctor examining a patient during a Diabetes prevention campaign

“Community-driven health literacy—especially for early screening and preventive lifestyle changes—is one of our strongest defences,” noted a participating physician.

With ADA data showing that 38.4 million Americans have diabetes and another 97.6 million live with prediabetes—often unknowingly—the campaign focused on the power of routine activity and diet.

Leveraging their communal dining program, Dawoodi Bohra volunteers delivered notes on healthy eating to households across the US on the World Diabetes Day. The following regions conducted the campaign:

Dallas–Fort Worth: Physicians Dr Nafisa Mogri and Dr. Hujefa Vora led families in a "Walk for Diabetes" challenge at Fritz Park, with participants committing to a collective 1.5 million steps over ten days.

Dawoodi Bohra Muslims during the diabetes prevention campaign

Raleigh: The community turned a hike at Jordan Lake into an outdoor classroom where paediatricians and physical therapists demonstrated exercises for glycemic control and discussed adjusting South Asian diets to reduce refined carbohydrates.

Collin County & Washington D.C.: Sessions led by Dr. Mustafa Dohadwala and nutritionist Almaas Arsiwala focused on portion control and ADA-aligned dietary shifts.

Nationwide Participation: Communities in The Woodlands, Chicago, Tampa, Detroit, Boston, and Ohio hosted 5k walks, free HbA1c screenings, and women-led medical seminars.

“Every step teaches us more,” said a participant in Collin County. “I’m going to share what I learned with others. Together, we hope to have a healthier future.”

The campaign was underpinned by the Saifee Burhani Medical Association of America (SBMAA) MEDS Conference in Los Angeles. The conference brought together Dawoodi Bohra healthcare professionals to discuss multidisciplinary strategies for prediabetes.

Clinicians focused on practical behaviour-change strategies, reviewing major trials like the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which shows that modest weight loss and activity can reduce Type 2 diabetes risk by up to 58%.

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“Diabetes can feel scary, but it doesn’t have to be,” said a community outreach coordinator in Bakersfield. “With education, early testing, and healthy habits, we can prevent many cases—and we can control it if it happens.”