Leicester expert presents esteemed lecture on health determinants among ethnic minority groups
Professor Kamlesh Khunti (right) receives the James Mackenzie Lecture Award 2024
An international award-winning University of Leicester professor has been selected to deliver a prestigious national lecture in recognition of his research on ethnic minority populations.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti received the James Mackenzie Lecture Award 2024 from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), one of the most prestigious awards given by the RCGP. Nominations for the lecturer are selected by the Awards and Fellowship Committee of the College.
Entitled ‘Social Determinants of Cardiometabolic Diseases in Ethnic Minority Populations’, the lecture examined why ethnic minorities face a higher risk of developing cardiometabolic conditions compared to White individuals.
Cardiometabolic diseases refer to a range of conditions including heart attacks, stroke, circulatory diseases, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension and fatty liver disease.
The lecture took place on Friday (29 November) in London, highlighting that cardiometabolic diseases occur at an earlier age in ethnic minority populations compared to White populations and are associated with worse outcomes. Professor Khunti also discussed the wider social determinants likely to underpin much of these risks, stating that a comprehensive multisectoral approach, supported by strong policy action were required to reduce these inequalities.
Professor Khunti, Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands and NIHR Emeritus Senior Investigator, said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the James Mackenzie Lecture Award from the Royal College of General Practitioners.
“To be acknowledged by my peers with one of the College’s most distinguished awards is both humbling and inspiring, and I remain committed to improving health outcomes and addressing disparities in healthcare for all communities.”
He added: “This award is, as always, dedicated to our research and clinical teams from the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) who have worked tirelessly over the years to advance equitable care for underserved populations.”
Professor Khunti is a Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester and the Co-Director of the LDC – an international centre answering the global challenge of type 2 diabetes and long-term conditions through world-leading research, education and innovation.
In addition, Professor Khunti serves as the Director of the Leicester-based Centre for Ethnic Health Research, where he has made substantial contributions to advancing the health and well-being of ethnic minority communities.
He was one of the very first to spot the disproportional impact of COVID-19 on people from ethnic minorities and was chair of the ethnicity subgroup of the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and a member of SAGE.
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.