“Racism is a public health issue” - Position Statement, 2021

Five years on from the COVID-19 pandemic and a heightened global focus on racial and social justice, addressing structural and systemic racism remains a critical, long-term priority - particularly within public health. Tackling ethnic health inequalities is key to improving population health and building a fairer, more inclusive London.

In February 2021, ADPH London issued a position statement recognising racism as a public health issue. Building on this commitment, the Public Health Tackling Racism and Inequality (PHTRI) Programme was established to drive action and address root causes.

Sign on staircase

Meet the Team

  • Dr Adeola Agbebiyi

    Dr Adeola Agbebiyi

    Interim Director of Public Health, Newham & PHTRI Network Chair

    Adeola has been Assistant Director of Public Health at the London Borough of Newham since 2019 and Interim Director since 2025, also chairing the PHTRI Network.

  • Dr Nike Arowobusoye

    Consultant in Public Health, Richmond and Wandsworth

    Nike is a Consultant in Public Health at Richmond and Wandsworth Council and co-leads the Diversifying the Workforce and Encouraging Systems Leadership workstream.

  • Natalie Daley

    Dr Natalie Daley

    Consultant in Public Health at Barnados

    Natalie was a Consultant in Public Health at Richmond and Wandsworth Council before joining children's charity Barnados in 2024, also co-leading the Diversifying the Workforce and Encouraging Systems Leadership workstream.

  • Emma De Zoete

    Emma De Zoete

    Consultant in Public Health, GLA

    Emma is a Public Health Consultant at the Greater London Authority (GLA) and a member of the programme’s core steering group.

  • Dr Sandra Husbands,

    Director of Public Health, City & Hackney & Programme Co Chair

    Sandra has served as Director of Public Health for the London Borough of Hackney and the City of London Corporation since October 2019, also co-chairing the PHTRI programme and leads the Trust and Cohesion workstream.

  • Joleene King

    Joleene King

    Public Health Strategist and Network Lead

    Joleene is a Public Health Strategist & Partnerships and improvement Lead at ADPH London.

  • Safia Marcano

    Safia Marcano

    Programme Manager, Tackling Racism and Inequalities

    Safia has worked in City & Hackney Public Health team since 2014 and is the current Programme Manager for the PHTRI programme.

  • Dr Catherine Mbema

    Dr Catherine Mbema

    Director of Public Health, Lewisham & Programme Co Chair

    Catherine, appointed Director of Public Health for Lewisham in 2020, co-chairs the programme with Dr Sandra Husbands and leads the Improving Ethnicity Data Collection and Research workstream.

  • Dr Bimpe Oki

    Acting Director of Public Health, Lambeth

    Bimpe is the Acting Director of Public Health at the London Borough of Lambeth and leads the Co-production with Communities workstream.

  • Lee Pinkerton

    Lee Pinkerton

    Communication and Engagement Officer

    Lee has been with the PHTRI programme since 2024 and is the programme’s Communication and Engagement Officer.