Diabetes researcher listed as a top ethnic minority health leader in England
Professor Kamlesh Khunti
A Leicester-based professor known as ‘Mr South Asian diabetes’ has been named as one of England’s most prominent individuals from an ethnic minority background making a profound difference in the NHS.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE has been listed in the Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) top 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health list after recently being ranked as the world’s top researcher in type 2 diabetes.
The list highlights some of the country’s leading professionals from minority groups who are set to exercise the most influence in health policy over the next 12 months, with the NHS Confederation Chair, Lord Victor Adebowale and NHS England’s Dr Vin Diwakar finishing in the top 10.
Professor Khunti is a Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester and the Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) – an international centre answering the global challenge of type 2 diabetes and long-term conditions through world-leading research, education and innovation.
Alongside his academic roles, Professor Khunti is also the Director of the Leicester-based Centre for Ethnic Health Research, where he has contributed significantly to improving the health of the ethnic minority community. He was one of the very first to spot the disproportional impact of COVID-19 on people from ethnic minorities.
Professor Khunti is also the Director of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands. NIHR ARC East Midlands funds vital work to tackle the region’s health and care priorities by speeding up the adoption of research onto the frontline of health and social care. The organisation puts in place evidence-based innovations which seek to drive up standards of care and save time and money.
He said: “Being recognised as one of England’s top individuals from an ethnic minority background is a tremendous honour.
“It reaffirms the importance of diversity in healthcare and underscores the progress our research group has made in our national work in championing equitable and inclusive healthcare systems.”
The HSJ list celebrates the exceptional talent that exists in the Black, Asian and minority ethnic community.