Professor Rao’s OBE for services to public health

A leading public health academic at UEL has been awarded an OBE in the 2013 New Year Honours List.

Mala Rao, Professor of International Health in the Institute for Health and Human Development at the University of East London received the honour for services to public health in the UK and overseas.

During her 30 year career, Professor Rao’s work in policy, practice and research has had a major impact in both the UK and India. She established the first evidence-based cancer service network in the UK, and led the delivery of its public health skills and career framework.

Her recent work has focused on highlighting the health impacts of climate change, directing the first institute of public health in India, and the development of health insurance schemes and primary care in India.

Professor Rao said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this honour. Colleagues and friends know how passionate I am about public health, and it is a truly wonderful as well as humbling experience, to be recognised for the work I have hugely enjoyed doing for the past 30 years.”

Professor Adrian Renton, Director of the Institute for Health and Human Development, said: “I am delighted Mala’s outstanding contribution to public health has been recognised in this way, as she has been such an important force in developing the international dimension to our research institute.”