As we embrace diversity and celebrate cultural richness, join San Diego Blood Bank in recognizing Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month and Arab American Heritage Month this April.
California is home to the largest US population of people of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community. This includes more than 300,000 individuals who identify as Arab American and 11% of this population resides in Los Angeles, El Cajon, San Diego, Irvine, and Anaheim.
In this blog, we honor and shine a light on the incredible contributions of SWANA individuals and Arab Americans who continue to influence modern medicine and make a significant impact on society.
SWANA and Arab Americans: Identity and Inclusion
Arab American Heritage Month was first officially recognized by the US Senate in April 2017, thanks to the efforts of the Arab American Foundation.
SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) Heritage Month is also celebrated in April, to embrace a wider spectrum of communities within the region, even those who may not identify solely as Arab. For individuals who may not identify with a single ethnic or cultural identity, SWANA provides an inclusive framework that recognizes the diversity and complexity of the region that includes the Arab, Persian, Kurdish, and Turkish communities from a wide range of countries.
Exploring Healthcare Contributions
SWANA and Arab American communities have a rich history of contributions to the field of healthcare, spanning centuries and continents. From ancient healing practices to groundbreaking medical research, individuals from these regions have made a lasting impact on the global healthcare landscape.
In Southwest Asia and North Africa, the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia laid the foundation for medical knowledge that continues to influence modern healthcare practices. Contributions such as the Code of Hammurabi, which included provisions for medical care, and the Canon of Medicine by Avicenna (Ibn Sina), a comprehensive medical encyclopedia, showcase the advanced understanding of health and healing in the region.
In modern America, SWANA and Arab American healthcare professionals and scientists continue to make significant strides in various medical fields, from cardiology to epidemiology, and advancing cancer research.
Notable SWANA and Arab Americans Advancing Public Health
Danny Thomas, was an Arab American philanthropist, actor, and comedian, revolutionized pediatric healthcare by founding St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz to Lebanese immigrants, Thomas embodied the American Dream and dedicated his life to helping others. In 1962, he opened St. Jude with the vision of providing cutting-edge treatment and conducting groundbreaking research for pediatric cancers, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Only 4% of the annual National Cancer Institute’s budget goes towards childhood cancer research, St. Jude’s mission and impact has helped to make significant strides in treatment and research that continue to save countless lives today. As of 2020, St. Jude operates eight other affiliate hospitals throughout the US, continuing his lifesaving work.
Learn more about Danny Thomas on StJude.org
Elias Zerhouni, MD was an Algerian-American radiologist, biomedical engineer, inventor, and scientist. Dr. Zerhouni invented techniques using diagnostic imaging that led to advancements in Computed Tomography (CAT scanning) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to diagnose cardiovascular disease and cancer. Throughout his career, he served under two presidential administrations as an advisor and as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), consultant to the World Health Organization, on the National Cancer Institute’s Board of Scientific Advisors, and many other professional achievements. Through his inventions, research, and leadership roles, he made lasting contributions to healthcare that continues to save lives today.
Learn more about Dr. Zerhouni on the NIH.gov
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a first-generation Iraqi immigrant and Detroit-raised pediatrician and author renowned for her pivotal role as a whistleblower, raising awareness about the Flint Water Crisis and its detrimental effects on children’s blood lead levels. Through her courageous research, she saved thousands of Flint residents from continued exposure to contaminated water, significantly improving their quality of life. Today, she continues to fight for public health and a resolution to the Flint Water Crisis.
Watch her famous TED Talk – “Flint’s Fight for America’s Children”
In addition to these three individuals that have contributed to healthcare, there are many more. Check out more local Arab American healthcare heroes highlighted by the San Diego Chapter of the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) here: NAAMA – Arab American History Month
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
As we commemorate SWANA and Arab American Heritage Months, we recognize the incredible contributions of Southwest Asian, North African, and Arab Americans that have shaped American history and transformed healthcare.
By embracing diversity and fostering cultural understanding, together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
At San Diego Blood Bank, we save lives in collaboration with the community. To create more equity in healthcare, we must prioritize collecting blood from a diverse pool of blood donors. That means we need people from all diverse communities to join us in our lifesaving mission by becoming blood donors and advocates.
You can directly impact the health of SWANA & Arab Americans in Southern California by donating blood, ensuring blood is on the shelves of local hospitals. Every blood donation changes lives.
Explore our site for more information on donating blood or schedule as appointment to donate.
More SWANA & Arab American Heritage Resources
Take a look at these resources to learn more about the SWANA & Arab American rich culture and history:
Learn more from the Arab American National Museum
Get to know the Arab America Foundation and the Arab American Institute
Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History – Spotlight on Arab American History
San Diego Public Library created a list of works of Arab American authors
Sources
- “A Brief History of Medicine in Ancient Mesopotamia.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Link
- “Avicenna (Ibn Sina).” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Link
- “Arab American History Month” History.com Link
- “American Arab Medical Association (AAMA).” Link
- “Community in Numbers: Southern California’s Arab American Clusters.” Arab American Civic Council. Link
- “Danny Thomas” – Wikipedia. Link
- Demographics. Arab American Institute. Link
- “Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha” – Wikipedia. Link
- “Dr. Elias Zerhouni” – NIH. Link