A Journey Rooted in Advocacy and Community Health
For Dr. Aisha Siddiqui, the path to founding Culture of Health–Advancing Together (CHAT) was shaped by personal experiences and a deep commitment to addressing social and health disparities. Her journey is one of resilience, advocacy, and dedication to community well-being.
How Did You Come to This Work?
Dr. Siddiqui: My journey into this work began long before officially founding CHAT in 2015. It traces back to my upbringing in a society rife with social injustice and class disparities, where health disparities between the rich and poor deeply troubled me. Upon immigrating to the United States in the mid-1980s with the aim of pursuing higher education and aiding mothers and children in Pakistan, I encountered the harsh reality of health crises and disparities during my tenure as an epidemiologist at the Houston Health Department.
Motivated to address these disparities further, I pursued a doctoral program at the University of Texas School of Public Health, where I delved into understanding health inequalities, particularly among immigrants and refugees, with a focus on women and children. My personal experiences as an immigrant informed my decision to concentrate on this demographic for my dissertation work, as I witnessed firsthand the challenges they faced in adapting to their new environment.
The Moment That Sparked Change
Dr. Siddiqui: One poignant incident that left a lasting impact on me was the arrest of a 17-year-old refugee student for driving without a license, unable to communicate in English. Witnessing his distress, compounded by his mother’s offer of a cigarette to calm him down, underscored the stark reality of health inequalities stemming from inadequate education and support systems.
Founding CHAT: A Holistic Approach to Community Well-Being
Dr. Siddiqui: Driven by the desire to address these challenges comprehensively, CHAT was founded with a multifaceted approach to target the social determinants of health. Through initiatives like the Girls Club for Success, which integrates social-emotional learning with art-based activities, we strive to empower individuals, reduce isolation, facilitate acculturation, and connect resources to improve health and well-being.
The success of our programs, such as the unexpected participation of 44 girls in the Girls Club for Success, demonstrates the transformative power of art as a tool for self-expression, personal development, and therapeutic healing. By leveraging art and focusing on improving social and personal skills, we aim to enhance students’ self-esteem, self-confidence, and overall resilience.
A Commitment to Empowerment and Social Justice
Dr. Siddiqui: In essence, my personal journey and professional experiences have shaped CHAT’s mission to address health disparities, advocate for social justice, and empower communities through innovative, culturally sensitive programs and initiatives.
I’m excited about expanding our reach into other regions of M-AAA’s jurisdiction that enables us to amplify the voices and experiences of communities across a wider geographic area. By providing platforms for cultural expression, storytelling, and community engagement, we can foster greater understanding, empathy, and appreciation for the rich diversity of experiences across the country.