BRC Professor delivers esteemed lecture on health determinants among ethnic minority groups

Co-lead of the BRC’s Data Innovation for Multiple Long-Term Health Conditions and Ethnic Health theme, Professor Kamlesh Khunti,  was recently asked 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’, this 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.

Held on 29 November 2024, in London, the lecture highlighted 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 highlighted that wider social determinants likely to underpin much of these risks and a comprehensive multisectoral approach, supported by strong policy action  are required to these reduce inequalities.

Professor Khunti, who is also the Director of the NIHR ARC East Midlands, and an 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.