Dr. Rajesh Mehta

Dr. Rajesh Mehta is a distinguished Indian cardiologist and public health expert renowned for his groundbreaking research and advocacy in the prevention of rheumatic heart disease and the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in South Asia. His career spans prestigious clinical roles at institutions like the AIIMS, New Delhi and advisory positions with global bodies including the World Health Organization. A recipient of the Padma Shri and the Dr. B. C. Roy Award, his work has significantly influenced national health policies and international guidelines on preventive cardiology.

Early life and education

Born in Mumbai, he demonstrated an early aptitude for the sciences, attending a local school before securing admission to the prestigious Grant Medical College, affiliated with Sir J.J. Hospital. He graduated at the top of his class, earning a gold medal, which paved the way for his specialization in cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Driven by a passion for population health, he subsequently pursued a master's degree in public health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where he studied under renowned epidemiologists like Dimitrios Trichopoulos.

Career

His professional journey began as a faculty member in the Department of Cardiology at AIIMS, New Delhi, where he established one of the first dedicated preventive cardiology clinics in India. He later served as a technical officer for non-communicable diseases at the World Health Organization's Regional Office for South-East Asia in New Delhi, shaping regional strategies. He also held a visiting professorship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, collaborating with experts like Roger Blumenthal on global heart health initiatives. In addition to his institutional roles, he has been a key advisor to the Government of India's National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).

Research and contributions

His seminal research has focused on the burden and control of rheumatic heart disease in low-resource settings, leading to the development of cost-effective screening protocols adopted by the Indian Council of Medical Research. He led the influential Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South Asia (CARISA) study, a multi-center investigation across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh that identified unique risk profiles in the region. His work on the epidemiology of hypertension and metabolic syndrome has been published in leading journals such as The Lancet and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. He was instrumental in drafting the World Heart Federation's position statement on the eradication of rheumatic fever.

Awards and recognition

In recognition of his contributions to medicine, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2010. He is a recipient of the Dr. B. C. Roy Award, the highest Indian medical honor conferred by the Medical Council of India. The World Heart Federation awarded him its Gold Medal for outstanding service to global cardiovascular health. He has also been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the European Society of Cardiology, and the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India).

Personal life

He is married to Dr. Anjali Mehta, a noted pediatrician who practices at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. An avid reader of history, he has a particular interest in the history of medicine in colonial India. He is also a classical music enthusiast and supports several charitable trusts focused on providing cardiac care to underprivileged children, including the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences.

Category:Indian cardiologists Category:Padma Shri recipients Category:All India Institute of Medical Sciences alumni