MARCH 22, 2021: The UK government, health organisations and recent research have deemed the acronyms; BAME, which stands for black, Asian, and minority ethnic, and BME (black and minority ethnic) inappropriate for use in future research and other literature or media communication.
Many organisations, including ourselves, have recently suggested that these terms are problematic as they indiscriminately combine people from different geographical, behavioural, social, and cultural backgrounds. They also focus on skin colour, with people not identifying with these acronyms.
These terms have come under increasing scrutiny over the last 12 months due to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority groups, which has attracted global attention. This has left many grappling with the most appropriate way to describe people of minority ethnic backgrounds.
We wholeheartedly respect this conclusion. The Centre is fully committed to reducing ethnic health inequalities. Everything we say and do must reflect our ambition. It is with this in mind that we have taken the decision to evaluate options to rebrand and rename the Centre
The name was given in good faith, but we feel we need to be fully consistent with the latest thinking. Please bear with us as we conduct an evaluation, including consultation with the public, with a view to renaming the centre.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti
Centre Director