In a world facing ever-evolving health crises and climate threats, few names resonate with more purpose, perseverance, and progress than Mala Rao CBE. A visionary British Indian physician, academic, climate champion, and public health reformer, Dr. Rao has spent decades transforming healthcare systems in the UK and India, advocating for equity, and amplifying the intersection between environmental change and human health.
Her story is not just one of professional success but of a life rooted in service, led with compassion, and empowered by a deep-seated belief in fairness, justice, and science.
Mala Rao: From Delhi Dreams to Global Impact
Mala Rao CBE was born in India, where her desire to serve humanity ignited at a tender age. Inspired by the global fight against smallpox during her medical studies in Delhi, she chose the road less traveled—public health. The global eradication of smallpox wasn’t just a medical milestone for her; it was a spiritual calling to join the ranks of those who create change on a systemic level.
Determined to deepen her expertise, she journeyed to the United Kingdom, where she enrolled in the prestigious postgraduate public health training at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. It was here, amid academic rigor and real-world challenges, that her commitment to reshaping healthcare systems began to crystallize.
Leadership Rooted in Service and Science
After completing her training, Dr. Rao began her career in the National Health Service (NHS) and quickly rose through the ranks. She became Director of Public Health in Essex, where she pioneered England’s first evidence-based cancer network in 1997, successfully rallying over 120 clinicians toward a unified vision. Her approach combined data-driven solutions with human-centered leadership—a rare and powerful blend.
From 2003, she led England’s Public Health Workforce at the Department of Health, where she initiated the “Teaching Public Health Networks,” laying the foundation for what would later evolve into the UK Healthy Universities Network. Her work exemplified a philosophy that knowledge, when shared, becomes a force multiplier for community wellbeing.
Mala Rao: A Global Advocate for Healthcare Equity
In 2008, Mala Rao CBE returned to India, where she served as the inaugural Director of the Indian Institute of Public Health, part of the Public Health Foundation of India. Her mission? To democratize access to quality healthcare for millions of underserved people. Working with national and state governments, international organizations, and frontline health workers, she led transformative projects focused on innovative healthcare financing and scalable models for universal primary care.
Her six-year tenure in India was marked by a relentless pursuit of impact, particularly for those who had historically been neglected by mainstream healthcare policies.
Climate Change and Mental Health: A New Frontier
Long before climate change became a mainstream concern, Dr. Rao was already raising red flags about its implications for public health. Today, she stands as a globally recognized authority on the health effects of climate change and eco-anxiety, particularly on vulnerable populations such as women and children.
As the co-editor of the Health Practitioner’s Guide to Climate Change, which received high commendation from the British Medical Association, Dr. Rao helped arm health professionals with the tools and knowledge to confront the environmental crises of our time.
Her lectures, government task force contributions, and collaborations with WaterAid UK—where she serves as Vice Chair—underscore her commitment to linking safe water access, sanitation, climate resilience, and public health as interconnected pillars of societal wellbeing.
Championing Racial Equality in Health
Dr. Rao’s advocacy doesn’t stop at climate or clinical reforms. In 2014, she launched an inquiry into the wellbeing of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in England. Recognizing the deep-rooted disparities in the NHS, she established the Ethnicity and Health Unit at Imperial College London.
Her work with the NHS Workforce Race Equality Strategy (WRES) from 2018 to 2022 broke new ground by spotlighting inequalities not only among patients but within the healthcare workforce itself. By calling attention to the structural barriers faced by minority professionals, Dr. Rao reinforced her lifelong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
A Life of Recognition and Ongoing Contribution
The contributions of Mala Rao CBE have not gone unnoticed. Her exceptional leadership and service have been acknowledged through numerous accolades:
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Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) – 2013, for services to public health.
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Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) – 2024, for contributions to public health, equality, and the NHS.
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Alwyn Smith Prize – Awarded in 2021 by the Faculty of Public Health.
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Honorary Membership – Granted by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2022.
Each award is a testament to her unwavering dedication and transformative impact, not only within institutions but across continents.
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