Staff profile

Dr Nasima Akhter is an Assistant Professor (Research) in the department of Anthropology with a research focus on health inequality, food security, maternal and child nutrition, and evaluation of interventions. She has over 15 years’ experience in global health and nutrition, livelihood interventions, and currently works across applied health research projects and trials in various contexts. Her PhD from UCL Institute for Global Health, UK, assessed impact of the global food price crisis on affordability of a nutritionally adequate diet by socioeconomic groups in rural Nepal. She leads the Anthropology Interdisciplinary Research Methods Team, and contributes to enhance capacity for research on food and nutrition security, research methods, statistical concepts and analytical approaches. In Bangladesh, she contributed to the Helen Keller International Bangladesh’s Nutritional Surveillance Project, Homestead Food Production Program, and various evaluation projects (1997-2007). She is experienced in project design, plan and implementation, and completed consultancy projects for the WHO, UNHCR, Save the Children, Oxfam Canada among others. She is a fellow of the Durham Research Methods Centre and a member of the Durham Biostatistics unit. She is a Section Editor (Nutrition) for the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition | About(biomedcentral.com) a BMC (part of Springer Nature) journal.

Current Research

• Kate Hampshire, Adetayo Kasim, Nasima Akhter, Janelle Wagnild, Dr Heather Hamill, Elizabeth David-Barrett, Simon Mariwah, Gerry Mshana, Daniel Amoako-Sakyi, Graeme Ackland, Edmund Chattoe-Brown. “Analysis and Publication of WHO Research Data on Substandard & Falsified medicines”. Funder: World Health Organization, September-December 2020. 
• Kate Hampshire, Adetayo Kasim, Nasima Akhter, Michele Castelli, Elsbeth Robson, Kassahun Alemu, Alister Munthali, Prof Simon Mariwah, Ms Nuzhat Choudhury. Research on Factors influencing Community Health Workers’ Effectiveness. Funder: Save the Children, Nov 2019-Oct 2020. 
• What are the health and health inequalities impacts of the Big Local community empowerment initiative in England? NIHR Public Health Research, 2018 – 2021.
• Preventing cardiac damage in patients treated for breast cancer: a phase 3 randomised, open label, blinded endpoint, and superiority trial of enalapril to prevent Anthracycline-induced Cardiotoxicity (PROACT). NIHR Research for Patient Benefit, 2017-2019.

Previous Projects

• Health Inequalities in an Age of Austerity, Leverhulme Trust Research Leadership Grant, (2013-2018). PI: Professor Clare Bambra.
• ‘Differential acculturation and its impact on wellbeing among Bangladeshi migrants in the North-East and South' (London) UK. PI: Professor Gillian Bentley. This project aimed to assess how British-Bangladeshis adapt to life in different parts of the UK, and whether their experiences as first- or second-generation migrants have an effect on health and wellbeing.
• Nutritional Surveillance Project, Helen Keller International Bangladesh (1997-2007)
• Systematic review of "Which public health interventions are effective in reducing morbidity, mortality and health inequalities from infectious diseases amongst children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)", Collaborative project with Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN), Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway; Durham University and Newcastle University. (May 2019-April 2020)
• Determinants of quality of diet among rural households in Bangladesh. Collaborative project between Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University and School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo. 2019-2020.

 

• Health inequality
• Migrant Health
• Global health and nutrition
• Evaluation of interventions
• Food security and livelihood

Authored book

• Akhter, N., Mattheys, K., Warren, J., & Kasim, A. (2019). Health in Hard Times. Chapter six: Minding the Gap. Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvndv4xh

Journal Article

• Wagnild, J. M., Akhter, N., Lee, D., Jayeola, B., Darko, D. M., Adeyeye, M. C., …Hampshire, K. (in press). The role of constraints and information gaps in driving risky medicine purchasing practices in four African countries. Health Policy and Planning, czae006. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czae006
• Akhter, N., McGowan, V., Halliday, E., Popay, J., Kasim, A., & Bambra, C. (2023). Community empowerment and mental wellbeing: longitudinal findings from a survey of people actively involved in the big local place-based initiative in England. Journal of Public Health, 45(2), 423–431. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdac073
• Maier, R. H., Plummer, C., Kasim, A. S., Akhter, N., Ogundimu, E., Maddox, J., …Austin, D. (2022). Preventing cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer and lymphoma: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (PROACT). BMJ Open, 12(12), Article e066252. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066252
• McGowan, V., Akhter, N., Halliday, E., Popay, J., Kasim, A., & Bambra, C. (2022). Collective control, social-cohesion and health and wellbeing: Baseline survey results from the Communities in Control Study in England. Journal of Public Health, 44(2), 378-386. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa227
• Bimpong, K., Thomson, K., McNamara, C., Balaj, M., Akhter, N., Bambra, C., & Todd, A. (2022). The Gender Pain Gap: gender inequalities in pain across 19 European countries. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 50(2), 287-294. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494820987466
• Brown, H., Xiang, H., Albani, V., Goffe, L., Akhter, N., Lake, A., …Wildman, J. (2022). No new fast-food outlets allowed! Evaluating the effect of planning policy on the local food environment in the North East of England. Social Science & Medicine, 306, Article 115126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115126
• Ahmed, S., Chase, L. E., Wagnild, J., Akhter, N., Sturridge, S., Clarke, A., …Hampshire, K. (2022). Community health workers and health equity in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review and recommendations for policy and practice. International Journal for Equity in Health, 21(1), Article 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-021-01615-y
• Begum, K., Cooper, G. D., Nahar, P., Akhter, N., Kasim, A., & Bentley, G. R. (2022). Early Life, Life Course and Gender Influences on Levels of C-Reactive Protein among Migrant Bangladeshis in the UK. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, 10(1), 21-35. https://doi.org/10.1093/emph/eoab041
• Akhter, N., Fairbairn, R. S., Pearce, M., Warren, J., Kasim, A., & Bambra, C. (2021). Local inequalities in health behaviours: longitudinal findings from the Stockton-on-Tees cohort study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), Article 11018. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111018
• Akhter, N., Begum, K., Nahar, P., Cooper, G., Vallis, D., Kasim, A., & Bentley, G. R. (2021). Risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases Related to Obesity among First- and Second-Generation Bangladeshi Migrants Living in North-east or South-east England. International Journal of Obesity, 45(7), 1588-1598. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-00822-5
• Akter, R., Sugino, H., Akhter, N., Brown, C. L., Thilsted, S. H., & Yagi, N. (2021). Micronutrient Adequacy in the Diet of Reproductive-Aged Adolescent Girls and Adult Women in Rural Bangladesh. Nutrients, 13(2), Article 337. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020337
• Besnier, E., Thomson, K., Stonkute, D., Mohammad, T., Akhter, N., Todd, A., …Bambra, C. (2021). Which public health interventions are effective in reducing morbidity, mortality and health inequalities from infectious diseases amongst children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): An umbrella review. PLoS ONE, 16(6), Article e0251905. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251905
• Brown, H., Kirkman, S., Albani, V., Goffe, L., Akhter, N., Hollingsworth, B., …Lake, A. (2021). The impact of school exclusion zone planning guidance on the number and type of food outlets in an English local authority: A longitudinal analysis. Health & Place, 70, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102600
• Dodd-Reynolds, C., Vallis, D., Kasim, A., Akhter, N., & Hanson, C. (2020). The Northumberland Exercise Referral Scheme as a universal community weight management programme: a mixed methods exploration of outcomes, expectations and experiences across a social gradient. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), Article 5297. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155297
• Visram, S., Walton, N., Akhter, N., Lewis, S., & Lister, G. (2020). Assessing the value for money of an integrated health and wellbeing service in the UK. Social Science & Medicine, 245, Article 112661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112661
• Beasley, J., Wagnild, J., Pollard, T., Roberts, T., & Akhter, N. (2020). Effectiveness of diet and physical activity interventions among Chinese-origin populations living in high income countries: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20, Article 1019. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08805-3
• Besnier, E., Thomson, K., Stonkute, D., Mohammad, T., Akhter, N., Todd, A., …Bambra, C. (2019). Which public health interventions are effective in reducing morbidity, mortality and health inequalities from infectious diseases amongst children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs): protocol for an umbrella review. BMJ Open, 9(12), Article e032981. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032981
• Todd, A., McNamara, C. L., Balaj, M., Huijts, T., Akhter, N., Thomson, K., …Bambra, C. (2019). The European Epidemic: pain prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in pain across 19 European countries. European Journal of Pain, 23(8), 1425-1436. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1409
• Todd, A., Al-Khafaji, J., Akhter, N., Kasim, A., Quibell, R., Merriman, K., & Holmes, H. (2018). Missed opportunities: unnecessary medicine use in patients with lung cancer at the end of life: an international cohort study. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 84(12), 2802-2810. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13735
• Todd, A., Akhter, N., Cairns, J., Kasim, A., Walton, N., Ellison, A., …Bambra, C. (2018). The Pain Divide: a cross-sectional analysis of chronic pain prevalence, pain intensity and opioid utilisation in England. BMJ Open, 8(7), Article e023391. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023391
• Akhter, N., Bambra, C., Mattheys, K., Warren, J., & Kasim, A. (2018). Inequalities in mental health and well-being in a time of austerity: Follow-up findings from the Stockton-on-Tees cohort study. SSM - Population Health, 6, 75-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2018.08.004
• Akhter, N., Saville, N., Shrestha, B., Manandhar, D. S., Osrin, D., Costello, A., & Seal, A. (2018). Change in cost and affordability of a typical and nutritionally adequate diet among socio-economic groups in rural Nepal after the 2008 food price crisis. Food Security, 10(3), 615-629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-018-0799-y
• Bhandari, R., Kasim, A., Warren, J., Akhter, N., & Bambra, C. (2017). Geographical inequalities in health in a time of austerity: Baseline findings from the Stockton-on-Tees cohort study. Health & Place, 48, 111-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.10.002
• Thomson, K. H., Renneberg, A., McNamara, C. L., Akhter, N., Reibling, N., & Bambra, C. (2017). Regional inequalities in self-reported conditions and non-communicable diseases in European countries: Findings from the European Social Survey (2014) special module on the social determinants of health. European Journal of Public Health, 27(Supplement 1), 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckw227
• Mawn, L., Oliver, E., Akhtar, N., Bambra, C., Torgerson, C., Bridle, C., & Stain, H. (2017). Are we failing young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)? A systematic review and meta-analysis of re-engagement interventions. Systematic Reviews, 6, Article 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0394-2
• Mattheys, K., Bambra, C., Warren, J., Kasim, A., & Akhter, N. (2016). Inequalities in mental health and well-being in a time of austerity: Baseline findings from the Stockton-on-Tees cohort study. SSM - Population Health, 2, 350-359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2016.04.006
• Nazar, H., Brice, S., Akhter, N., Kasim, A., Gunning, A., Slight, S., & Watson, N. (2016). New transfer of care initiative of electronic referral from hospital to community pharmacy in England: a formative service evaluation. BMJ Open, 6(10), Article e012532. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012532
• Blagburn, J., Kelly-Fatemi, B., Akhter, N., & Husband, A. (2016). Person-centred pharmaceutical care reduces emergency readmissions. European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 23(2), 80-85. https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2015-000736
• Oddo, V., Rah, J., Semba, R., Sun, K., Akhter, N., Sari, M., …Kraemer, K. (2012). Predictors of maternal and child double burden of malnutrition in rural Indonesia and Bangladesh. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 95(4), 951-958. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.026070
• Campbell, A., Akhter, N., Sun, K., De Pee, S., Kraemer, K., Moench-Pfanner, R., …Semba, R. (2011). Relationship of household food insecurity to anaemia in children aged 6-59 months among families in rural Indonesia. Annals of tropical paediatrics, 31(4), 321-330. https://doi.org/10.1179/1465328111y.0000000038
• Campbell, A., Akhter, N., Sun, K., De Pee, S., Kraemer, K., Moench-Pfanner, R., …Semba, R. (2011). Relationship of homestead food production with night blindness among children below 5 years of age in Bangladesh. Public Health Nutrition, 14(9), 1627-1631
• Akhter, N., & Haselow, N. (2010). Using data from a nationally representative nutrition surveillance system to assess trends and influence nutrition programs and policy
• Thorne-Lyman, A., Valpiani, N., Sun, K., Semba, R., Klotz, C., Kraemer, K., …Bloem, M. (2010). Household dietary diversity and food expenditures are closely linked in rural Bangladesh, increasing the risk of malnutrition due to the financial crisis
• Semba, R., de Pee, S., Sun, K., Akhter, N., Bloem, M., & Raju, V. (2010). Coverage of vitamin A capsule programme in Bangladesh and risk factors associated with non-receipt of vitamin A. Journal of health, population and nutrition, 28(2), 143-148
• Rah, J., Akhter, N., Semba, R., de Pee, S., Bloem, M., Campbell, A., …Kraemer, K. (2010). Low dietary diversity is a predictor of child stunting in rural Bangladesh. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 64,
• Campbell, A., de Pee, S., Sun, K., Kraemer, K., Thorne-Lyman, A., Moench-Pfanner, R., …Semba, R. (2010). Household rice expenditure and maternal and child nutritional status in Bangladesh
• Lee, V., Ahmed, F., Wada, S., Ahmed, T., Ahmed, A., Parvin Banu, C., & Akhter, N. (2008). Extent of vitamin a deficiency among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh. Public Health Nutrition, 11(12), 1326-1331
• Semba, R., de Pee, S., Sun, K., Sari, M., Akhter, N., & Bloem, M. (2008). Effect of parental formal education on risk of child stunting in Indonesia and Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet, 371,
• Akhter, N., Witten, C., Stallkamp, B., Anderson, V., de Pee, S., & Haselow, N. (2008). Children aged 12-59 months missed through the National Vitamin A Capsule Distribution Program in Bangladesh: findings of the Nutritional Surveillance Project
• Shafique, S., Akhter, N., Stallkamp, G., de Pee, S., Panagides, D., & Bloem, M. (2007). Trends of under-and overweight among rural and urban poor women indicate double burden of malnutrition in Bangladesh. International Journal of Epidemiology, 36(2), 449-57

Report

• Menzies, V., Cramman, H., Eerola, P., Hugill-Jones, J., Akhter, N., & Einbeck, J. (2022). Parents and Children Together (PACT) Evaluation Report. [No known commissioning body]
• Bambra, C., Munford, L., Bennett, N., Khavandi, S., Davies, H., Bernard, K., …Taylor-Robinson, D. (2022). The Parallel Pandemic: COVID-19 and Mental Health. National Institute for Health and Care Research