Heritage Tourism Experiences

Disaggregated Data is one of the most powerful and important tools in storytelling, with proper context and nuance, and the advocacy that results when we know who needs help in what way. There are an estimated 24 million Americans of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian descent. A group this large is not a monolith. And while it’s important and necessary for us to stand under one banner to make sure our collective voices are heard, it does not serve us or the greater society when we are subjected to the pitfalls for a single narrative. Data like this is incredibly important to encourage others to ask their own thoughtful follow up questions when presented with high level data. When we aggregate complex data, the marginalized continue to have their voices and needs minimized and silenced. While it doesn’t exhaustively solve all problems, disaggregated data helps so much is telling the right story. 🤝 The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in collaboration with AAPI Data has created a 2024 National Overview of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. This much-needed resource provides timely insights on AA and NHPI population numbers nationally and across states, including on languages spoken and demographic information pertaining to educational attainment, poverty, unemployment, and health insurance coverage. Big up’s to Krystal Kaai, Jamie Lok, Caroline Goon, Karthick Ramakrishnan, and all the other superheroes behind this crucial study! ✏ We encourage you to learn more about our diverse AA and NHPI communities and view the full fact sheet here: https://lnkd.in/egqyqkd3.

Valuing Indigenous knowledge in conjunction with Western science involves reshaping how we present and prioritize educational narratives. Sarah Bliss Director of Land Conservation at Mojave Desert Land Trust shared that one way MDLT embodies this is by placing the tribal name in Serrano first on their lists and materials. This approach highlights and honors ancestral knowledge, ensuring that it is not just an add-on but a central, foundational piece of understanding. By doing this, MDLT challenges the typical hierarchy where Western science takes precedence, creating a more inclusive narrative that respects the deep-rooted expertise of Indigenous cultures. When people visit the garden or the desert, there is often a misconception that these landscapes are barren wastelands. However, accompanying tribal elders on these explorations reveals a profoundly different perspective—the desert as a hospital, food pantry, and toolbox for tribal nations. This understanding shifts the narrative from a place of scarcity to one of abundance, interconnectedness, and resilience. Ethnobotany plays a critical role in bridging these insights. It is not just about identifying plants but also understanding the cultural connections, history, and human relationships tied to each species. This deeper lens shows that every plant holds stories and knowledge passed down through generations, encompassing uses for medicine, food, tools, and rituals. Highlighting and integrating Indigenous knowledge not only enriches environmental education but also fosters respect for the people who have stewarded these lands for millennia. By emphasizing cultural connections and valuing this knowledge on equal footing with Western science, we create a more holistic and accurate representation of environmental stewardship. To learn more about these unique relationships and MDLT’s work in conservation, be sure to watch the full episode on my Youtube channel. #science #education #research #academia #indigenous

Approaching engagement projects with First Nations communities requires deep consideration. Cultural respect isn't a token gesture; it is vital for building trust and enduring relationships. Organisations and project teams must prioritise long-term relationship building, recognising that trust is cultivated over time and requires unwavering commitment. Remember, transparency and authenticity are non-negotiables in our work, ensuring that actions align with an organisation’s values and commitments and there is accountability to the communities we serve. By actively listening and learning from First Nations communities, any collaboration will be rooted in mutual respect and understanding. [Image description: Five key points that must be considered when engaging First Nations communities.]

As an inclusive travel advocate, I want to mark 'International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples' with this post. As travellers, industry leaders, and global citizens, today is an invitation to pause and reflect on the deep-rooted connections between Indigenous Peoples and the places we explore. Indigenous communities are not just part of the landscape,  they are the living heritage, knowledge keepers, and storytellers of many of the world’s most treasured destinations. Yet, too often, their voices are overlooked or commodified in tourism narratives. As someone passionate about inclusive travel, I believe our industry has a responsibility, and an opportunity to change this. Here’s how we can travel more consciously and inclusively: 🔸 Champion Indigenous-owned businesses From tour operators and guides to artisan markets and eco-lodges — seek them out, spotlight them, and include them in your supply chain. 🔸 Respect the culture, not just the content Promote Indigenous cultures with care. Honour traditions, avoid stereotypes, and let communities lead in how their stories are told. 🔸 Educate travellers Encourage mindful behaviour — asking permission before taking photos, learning local protocols, and engaging with history through Indigenous voices. Let’s make sure tourism benefits everyone, especially those whose cultures shape the very essence of the places we love. _______________________________________ I'm always keen to connect with others committed to making travel more inclusive and respectful. If you're working in this space, let’s talk. And if this post resonates, I’d love for you to share it, together, we can amplify the message.

Today we released a report researching the experience of ethnic minority people when seeking work in Ireland, taking into account 2,700 individual contributions along with numerous industry and expert inputs. The report unfortunately finds that close to a third of respondents felt their ethnic background posed a barrier to accessing employment, and this is bad for us all. We need people of different backgrounds and experiences to bring their diverse talents and perspectives to the workplace for our companies to be at their most competitive, and the economy to thrive. We conducted the work to ensure at BoI we fully understand the experience of ethnic minority people when accessing the workplace, as part of our ongoing effort to ensure we are 'welcoming to all' as place to work. We are sharing the outputs, along with 10 case studies and recommendations of good practice, to both highlight the need for change and to share ideas as to how to action this. You can access the report here: https://lnkd.in/ef5wr_pr

Starting off the New Year with a new publication! Happy to share this paper coming out of a recent collaboration with Sid O’Bryant, Ph.D. and his team at HSC's Institute for Translational Medicine. We found significant associations between AD plasma biomarkers and PF measures, with notable differences across race and ethnicity groups. These results highlight the importance of considering ethnic/racial differences when assessing the relationship between AD biomarkers and physical health. The study underscores the need for personalized approaches in developing risk profiles and interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in underrepresented minority populations.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞-𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐦? As of 2025, about 86% of genomics studies have been conducted in individuals of European descent -up from 81% in 2016. In contrast, Latin Americans are hardly represented in GWAS (~0.38%), despite comprising 650M+ people worldwide. ✺ 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 -𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥- 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴? Nature Medicine just featured the MexVar database 🇲🇽. (link below). Here is why it matters. 🟣 MADE IN EUROPE African, East/South Asian, and admixed American populations are as genetically diverse as they are underrepresented in major datasets. The paradox: ►Precision medicine tailors interventions based on genetic, clinical, and environmental factors. ►Two decades after the completion of the Human Genome Project, European ancestry (<15% population) still dominate most studies. ✺ Is your algorithm excluding 90% of the population? 🟣 ZOOMING INTO LATAM Latin America is genetically rich, but data poor. The number of ethnographic groups depends on who is counting. While a few reduce them to 7 ethnic groups, the most consistent figure is approximately 800, primarily indigenous (ECLAC 2014 and later). Historical admixture adds complexity. 🟣 ADMIXTURE Human populations are not static. Instead, they have always been shaped by mixing between groups (admixture). Latin American genomes reflect colonial-era mixing, leading to heterogeneous ancestry proportions that vary by country, region, and even within. Admixture mapping in Latam is key to identifying genetic variants linked to diseases. 🟣 ABOUT THE MXB PROJECT Mexico’s rich genetic mix is underrepresented in genomics research. The Mexican Biobank (MXB) set out to tackle this deficit. The study analysed genetic data from 6K+ diverse individuals, linking 1.8m genetic markers to health traits and diseases to create a comprehensive genotype–phenotype resource. A few findings. 🟣 DNA MATTERS. POSTCODE TOO. ►MXB studies for 22 complex traits showed improved prediction vs those based on European cohorts (UK). =Large, diverse biobanks improve trait prediction and research. (i.e. Admixture mapping+ GWAS + population structure/ local ancestry inference). ►Environment (urbanisation, altitude, education) significantly affects complex traits. =The postcode adds to the genetic mix (i.e. height and obesity- Indigenous ancestries have lower BMI). ►Genetics + environment -including ROH, ancestry, and sociocultural variables-contribute to trait variation in BMI, triglycerides, glucose, and height. =Genotype–phenotype models from underrepresented groups are critical to uncover biomedical insights) ►The MXB shows us how this is done. 🟣 BIG PICTURE Ancestry or identity isn’t only a label: it also carries health traits. Discrimination creates bias in polygenic risk scores, PM, and drug development. Is #precisionmedicine contributing to inequality❓ Precisely. 🟣 i-Expand ➟ #CommercialDD #genomics

Excited to Share Our Latest Publication in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe Our new commentary, “Beyond Broad Categories: Understanding Ethnic Differences in Long COVID,” is now published — and it tackles an issue that’s been hiding in plain sight. Long COVID has reshaped the lives of millions, yet its impact is far from equal. Women, ethnic minority groups, and migrant communities often bear a disproportionate burden, but too much of the existing evidence still treats these populations as monolithic blocks. That approach masks critical differences — and risks leaving the most affected groups unseen. In this piece, we discuss why breaking down broad ethnic categories isn’t just a methodological preference but a public health necessity. I highlight emerging evidence showing striking within‑group variation, discuss the structural and clinical factors that shape risk, and reflect on new findings from Mallinson et al. that challenge some of our assumptions. The message is clear: if we want equitable long COVID care, we need data and policies that reflect the real diversity of the populations we serve. Grateful to Prof. Marie Nørredam who contributed to this work and to the wider community pushing for more nuanced, equity‑focused research. Read the full commentary here: https://lnkd.in/dvwXknAz

🩺 How is ethnicity actually recorded in NHS records? 🩺 Using OpenSAFELY we showed how your ethnicity was a factor in how you experienced the pandemic, outcomes of the disease and likelihood to get vaccinated. But how well is ethnicity being recorded in primary care, and how reliable is this data for driving equitable healthcare solutions? In our latest study, we analysed the completeness and consistency of ethnicity data in the OpenSAFELY-TPP database, encompassing records from over 25 million patients in England. Our findings include; 🔔 78.2% of patients had their ethnicity recorded, increasing to 92.5% when hospital data is included. 🛏 Ethnicity records were more complete for women and patients with chronic conditions, likely due to their frequent interactions with healthcare services -  understandable as these groups are more likely to visit the NHS 🌍 Primary care records closely matched the ethnic breakdown from the 2021 UK Census, though regional variations exist, with recording rates ranging from 77% in the South East to 82.2% in the West Midlands. Getting into the weeds there are lots of interesting findings - 3.1% of patients with a recorded ethnicity had at least one ethnicity record that was not the same as the latest recorded ethnicity. Now this might be because of poor data entry, but we do know people’s sense of ethnicity can change over time so it might be representative of genuine variation over someone's life course The full paper has lots of interesting nuggets for researchers doing research on the impacts of the pandemic. And to make it easy to incorporate into your studies all our code is openly available including codelists for the 2001 NHS standard of ethnicity reporting but also updated SNOMED lists we made in 2022!

My first publication using the Health & Aging Brain Study–Health Disparities (HABS‑HD) data as a part of the Health Enhancement Scientific Program Fellowship. “Racial Ethnic Variations in the Cardiometabolic Determinants and Blood Pressure of White Matter Hyperintensities Among Females—The HABS‑HD Study” is out now in Alzheimer’s & Dementia! We found: • Hypertension and diabetes don’t affect every group equally—risk patterns differed for non‑Hispanic White, non‑Hispanic Black, and Hispanic females. • Systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were especially important predictors in Black women, underscoring the need for tailored prevention. • Our cardiometabolic composite score captured the overall risk. Discussion: "Our findings highlight the critical need to consider health disparities and the unique risk factors affecting specific populations when investigating the associations with neurodegeneration. Importantly, stratified analyses should be emphasized in future studies. It is insufficient to include racial ethnicity merely as a covariate, as risk factors are not uniformly distributed across populations, and this variability has significant implications for outcomes. Moreover, future studies should go beyond including interaction terms for the comparison of minoritized populations to a NHW group, but compare within race/ethnicity to understand specific factors contributing to disparities in aging and disease." Stay tuned for my ongoing work as a Health Enhancement Scientific Program scholar! https://lnkd.in/g2Cr668J