Abu Dhabi’s Bold Vision for a Healthier Future
Abu Dhabi is embarking on a transformative journey towards a healthier future for all its citizens and residents. The government-led Healthy Living programme is spearheading this change, implementing 25 strategic initiatives designed to foster sustainable behaviour change, improve population health, and make healthy choices accessible to everyone.
Addressing the Growing Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases
This comprehensive strategy is a critical response to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer – and aims to empower individuals to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Healthy Living represents a significant investment in the wellbeing of the community.
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Wellbeing
The Healthy Living Strategy encompasses five key domains:
- Enhanced Infrastructure: Creating environments that support healthy choices.
- Programmes: Implementing initiatives that promote physical activity and healthy eating.
- Evidence-Based Policies and Regulations: Shaping a healthier landscape through informed policy decisions.
- Literacy and Awareness: Empowering individuals with the knowledge to make informed health decisions.
- Improved Access to Healthcare Interventions: Ensuring quality healthcare is readily available.
These initiatives are being orchestrated by Healthy Living and implemented through a collaborative effort involving government entities, private sector partners, communities, and individuals. The focus is on removing barriers to healthy behaviours and creating supportive environments where healthy choices become the default.
Empowering Individuals Through Knowledge and Support
At its core, Healthy Living is about empowering individuals to take control of their health. By strengthening health literacy and awareness, the programme aims to equip residents with the information they need to make informed decisions without compromising personal autonomy. The initial phase focuses on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and raising awareness, with plans to expand to include sleep and mental wellbeing later in the year.
Collaboration is Key
His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of treating wellbeing as core infrastructure, stating, “Healthy Living brings together government entities, private sector partners and communities at a scale rarely achieved, to reshape the environments that influence daily behaviour.”
His Excellency Dr Ahmed AlKhazraji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, added, “We want to make it easier for everyone to eat well, move more and feel supported in managing their health, every day. We aim to empower individuals with the information they need to make informed choices.”
Key Initiatives Already Underway
Several initiatives have already been launched, demonstrating the programme’s momentum:
- Responsible Advertising Policy: A new policy promoting responsible advertising of food and beverages across Out-of-Home (OOH) media.
- Degayeg: A community initiative encouraging physical activity for all ages and abilities, with over 500 events and 7,700 participants since its launch.
- Festival of Health: An immersive event attracting almost 50,000 participants with activities spanning all four pillars of Healthy Living.
- Nutri-Mark: A front-of-pack nutrition grading label helping consumers make informed food choices, integrated with the TAMM app.
These are just a few examples of the tangible progress being made. The government entities involved include the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), and many others. Healthy Living is not just a programme; it’s a paradigm shift towards a proactive and preventative approach to health, one that could serve as a model for other countries around the world.
