Professor Kamlesh Khunti, CBE, FRCGP, FRCP, MD, PhD, FMedSci
Professor of Primary Care Diabetes & Vascular Medicine, University of Leicester
Sponsored by University of Leicester
Kamlesh Khunti is Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, UK. He has led a programme of work during the COVID-19 pandemic and is a member of UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and Chair of the SAGE Ethnicity Sub-panel.
Summary: The risk of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is two to four-fold higher in ethnic minority populations compared to white populations and is also associated with increased risk of certain macrovascular and microvascular complications. Additionally, T2DM has an earlier onset in ethnic minority groups occurring 10-12 years earlier. The exact reasons for the higher prevalence are unclear but include the complex interplay of biological, lifestyle, environmental and socioeconomic factors. This is further compounded by the disparities in care received by ethnic minority populations. UK was the first country to report on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority groups. Diabetes is also a major risk factor for severe COVID-19 and the combination of ethnic disparities in diabetes care has been a significant contributor to the disparities in COVID-19 outcomes for ethnic minority populations with diabetes including disproportionate hospitalisation and mortality.
Major ethnic disparities in diabetes care in US and UK, especially intermediate outcomes and diabetes complications, were evident prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed these pre-pandemic health disparities for ethnic minority populations with diabetes. Similar to the higher risk of T2DM in ethnic minority populations, the exact reasons higher risk of COVID-19 are in minority ethnic groups are also complex and include comorbidities, risk factor control, exposure to risk, deprivation and access to care including wider structural issues. As we now plan for recovery, it is imperative that those delivering diabetes care urgently address the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on ethnic minority populations. Reducing these inequalities will require a greater understanding of the causes.
Attending the lecture: This event is open to both members and non-members to attend. The lecture will be available on Zoom as well as in the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery
Members: Members will receive an email about a week before the event providing them with the information required to listen to the lecture using Zoom.
Non-members: Non-members may attend on Zoom or in person on payment of £5 (student non-members £3) by booking through EventBrite:
Zoom: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diabetes-ethnic-minority-groups-and-covid-19-an-inevitable-storm-online-registration-409261380807
In-person (at the Museum): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diabetes-ethnic-minority-groups-and-covid-19-an-inevitable-storm-museum-registration-500844789247