The Midlands: An engine for innovation that can help reduce global health inequalities

In MED-TECH Innovation News today (9 April), Dr Nik Kotecha, CEO of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, and Professor Kamlesh Khunti, director of the Centre for BME Health, explain how the Midlands can be an engine to help address health inequalities.

Dr Kotecha and Professor Khunti both play a leading role in Midlands Engine Health, which connects leaders and expertise across our region to champion our world-leading strengths in health, medical technologies and life sciences.

The article explores how the Midlands is home to one of the most diverse populations in the country, and falls behind the UK average in terms of life expectancy. The effects of the pandemic have been felt deepest in many of our communities and today, as vaccines get rolled out with pace, these inequalities have been highlighted further, with reports that vaccine uptake is still varying dramatically among different communities. The Government talks extensively about levelling up the economy with a focus on regions like the Midlands, but if we are to do this, tackling health inequalities must play a central role as we recover and rebuild. Behind this levelling up intent is an incredible opportunity for our region.

Read the article in full