Health and Wellness
Supporting the community with healthy choices
25 April 2021
Ismailis from different parts of the world have stepped up to support their communities and help each other maintain their health and overall wellbeing during the pandemic.
Best foot forward: The benefits of walking
25 April 2021
Humans are not only made to move — it is essential to our survival. The World Health Organization attributes over 3 million deaths each year to insufficient physical activity. The more we move, the more we boost the health of our bodies and minds, and the more alive we feel. Walking is one of the simplest ways to stay active.
Our cultural foods: Making healthier choices
22 April 2021
Ever wonder why our parents tell us to drink milk with turmeric and saffron when we are fighting a cold? Or why so many diverse spices are added to our foods to add flavour and more? Our cultural foods — whether from Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East — have a beautiful history, but they can also be perceived as unhealthy. While some dishes do indeed cause concern, many are healthy or can be made healthy with some simple tweaks.
The health benefits of consuming whole grains
22 April 2021
Grains are a basic food in households around the world and can be broken down into two categories: whole grains and refined grains. Unlike the refined grain, the whole grain kernel or the seed has all three parts intact: the bran, germ, and endosperm. Each one of these parts offer health promoting benefits. The bran, which is the outermost layer, contains the fibre, B vitamins, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants. The germ is the centre most part of the seed and it is loaded with healthy fats, vitamin E, B vitamins, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. The endosperm is the innermost layer that holds the carbohydrates, protein, and small amounts of B vitamins.
When LinkedIn gives you lemons
20 April 2021
If scrolling through social media sites such as LinkedIn makes you feel overwhelmed or unaccomplished in comparison to others — you're not alone.
Striving towards healthy living
6 April 2021
Healthy living is a difficult state to achieve at the best of times. How can we create and sustain good health, whilst facing an unprecedented public health challenge which has left a trail of economic and social upheaval?
Testing and vaccines: The experts guiding AKDN’s Covid-19 response
10 March 2021
On 21 March 2020, as nation after nation succumbed to the largest lockdowns of our time, Mawlana Hazar Imam issued a directive to establish a Covid-19 Global Task Force and Steering Committee to coordinate the Jamati and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
One year on: How did we cope?
10 March 2021
Last March, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a global pandemic. After 12 months of mixed emotions and disruption to our lives, what have we learned, and where do we go from here?
Outstanding women leaders set example in public health
6 March 2021
Nine Ismaili nurses and midwives have been honoured in the World Health Organization’s 100 Outstanding Nurses and Midwives list, in recognition of their vital role in providing health services. Throughout their careers, they have worked to promote women’s health and empowerment in their respective regions and beyond.
Pandemic perseverance: Pursuing your dreams during Covid-19
26 February 2021
I always saw the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as a daunting exam; nevertheless, the fact that so many students would be taking it with me physically gave me some sense of moral support, even if that support was coming from strangers.
Five tips for coping with financial stress
23 February 2021
Many aspects of our daily lives can cause stress and coping with these stresses is an important element of maintaining our mental wellbeing. One of the leading causes of stress is financial circumstance. Many people are dealing with job loss, increasing debt, and unexpected expenses, especially during this time of uncertainty. Here are five tips to assist you in coping with financial stresses.
Overcoming stigma: A journey towards mental wellbeing
18 January 2021
The phrase, Log kya kahenge meaning ‘what will people say,’ highlights a mindset within South Asian communities about the way people act, hold expectations, or even choose to participate in programs. This mindset has also been a contributing roadblock for many people when talking about and seeking out mental health support.
