Renowned Public Health Advocate Professor Mala Rao Honoured with CBE

In a momentous recognition of her lifetime dedication to public health, Professor Mala Rao, Director of the Ethnicity and Health Unit and Senior Clinical Fellow at Imperial’s School of Public Health, has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). The prestigious honour, bestowed upon Professor Rao by His Majesty the King, serves as a testament to her exceptional contributions to public health both in the United Kingdom and globally.

Professor Rao's illustrious career, spanning public health practice, policy, research, and training, has been marked by groundbreaking initiatives and advocacy. Her roles, including that of the former Medical Adviser to NHS England on Workforce Race Equality, reflect a commitment to addressing health inequalities and championing diversity in healthcare.

"I am especially grateful for the award because it brings publicity to the public health causes I have been deeply committed to addressing throughout my career," expressed Professor Rao on receiving the CBE.

Beyond her impactful positions, Professor Rao has emerged as a global advocate for climate action, safe water, sanitation, and gender equity. Her research at the intersection of race, health, and climate has earned her global respect. Currently chairing the WHO South East Asia Region’s Expert Group on the Environmental Determinants of Climate Change and Health, Professor Rao continues to address pressing global challenges.

Born and raised in India, Professor Rao's journey in public health began with medical studies in Delhi, leading to postgraduate training at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her career highlights include establishing England’s first evidence-based cancer network and pioneering initiatives in India aimed at improving healthcare access for the underprivileged.

Professor Rao's research and advice to governments and global institutions have improved health care for millions in some of the poorest states in India and elsewhere. She has been included among the most influential people in India-UK relations. In 2014, a review which she led, influenced parliamentarians to establish the NHS Workforce Race Equality Strategic Advisory Group of which she was Vice-Chair during 2016 - 2018. She co-guest edited the February 2020 British Medical Journal’s special issue on Racism in Medicine which won a prestigious UK Professional Publishers Award in 2021 and influenced the launch of the NHS Race and Health Observatory. In 2021, she led the development of the Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard, a ‘world first’ in monitoring racism and discrimination across the medical workforce. In 2022, she launched the first comprehensive guide to induction for international medical graduates recruited to the NHS. 

"I feel both humbled as well as thrilled to be awarded a CBE. The news was quite overwhelming at first, but I look forward to being able to share it with family, friends, and colleagues," shared Professor Rao on the personal significance of the award.

With numerous accolades to her name, including being made an Officer of the British Empire in 2013, Professor Rao's commitment to public health is celebrated not only by the academic and medical communities but also by the wider public. The CBE, while bringing personal joy to Professor Rao, is poised to amplify her advocacy for crucial public health causes in the years to come.