Preventing premature mortality in chronic diseases for South Asians in the UK and beyond

Whathaschangedinourunderstand-ing since ethnic disparities in coronary diseasemortalitywereinitiallyhighlighted?Wegivesomepast and future pointers in this field by citingexamples in the largest ethnic minority group inthe UK – people of SouthAsian origin.Biological differences are often first sought intrying to explain ethnic differences in diseasepatterns. The higher prevalence of diabetes inSouthAsians (predominately comprising peoplefrom India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)has been long known, and was thought to be themain driver behind the higher rates of coronaryheart disease mortality seen in this populationwhen compared to the majority indigenouspopulations in the developed societies to whichSouth Asians migrate to. Theories to explainthis have historically revolved around insulinresistance.