Today's Edition
KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi becomes the epicentre of a global movement to shift health systems' focus to preventive care as the 25th International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) World Conference on Health Promotion kicked off at ADNEC on Tuesday.
Now in its 25th edition, the conference's Abu Dhabi edition this year marks the first time the prestigious event is being held in the Middle East.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Dr. Omniyat Mohammed Al-Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), said the conference was a golden opportunity to share the emirate's vision for empowering communities to take control of their health.
"We are proud to host this landmark event, bringing together over 2,000 experts from the WHO, the International Federation for Health Promotion and Education, and many other global institutions," Dr. Al-Hajeri told Aletihad on Tuesday.
"Our mission here is clear-to shift the focus from treating illness to preventing it by enabling individuals and communities to live healthier, longer lives."
Dr. Al-Hajeri highlighted the need for health promotion strategies that are personalised and culturally inclusive, particularly in a diverse society like Abu Dhabi, home to more than 200 nationalities.
"What we are doing here is learning from the world and sharing our own experiences to find the best ways to reach different communities and age groups in a way that resonates with their lives," she said.
Gamifying Exercise
Among the innovations unveiled at the conference was 'City Move', a digital application designed to motivate families, friends, and co-workers to get physically active. By gamifying movement with puzzles, challenges, and rewards like redeemable vouchers, the platform aims to make health promotion engaging and accessible – rewarding families for walking around.
Additionally, Dr. Al-Hajeri announced the launch of Active Abu Dhabi, a government-wide health promotion platform that she said would unite public and private sector initiatives. She said the platform focuses on promoting four key pillars: sleep health, healthy eating, physical activity, and mental wellbeing, as the cornerstones for healthier living.
Dr. Al-Hajeri also highlighted Abu Dhabi's use of data and artificial intelligence to identify health risks and design targeted interventions. One such project is the Sahatna Interactive Public Health Platform, which uses AI to map health outcomes across the emirate.
"This platform allows us to link health outcomes to environmental factors, like proximity to fast-food outlets or access to parks and gyms," she said.
"It not only shows us where the problems are but also uses AI to suggest future interventions to improve community health."
Holistic Health
Held over three days at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the conference provides grounds for the showcase of several local and international initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes.
Dr. Al-Hajeri praised the work of startups and academic institutions present at the conference, including platforms promoting mental health, nutrition labelling, and early childhood development.
Among these is Sakina, a local mental health clinic tackling digital addiction among both children and adults. The UAE University's Institute of Public Health also featured prominently, sharing its latest research and collaborative projects with the ADPHC.
"What stands out is the excitement and engagement from our international partners," Dr. Al-Hajeri said.
"We are proud to see our local innovations, like the Sahatna platform and mental well-being initiatives, gaining global recognition."
