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Mid East Info
a day ago
- Health
- Mid East Info
UAE Ranks First in Wellbeing Promotion, Haleon Health Inclusivity Index Finds - Middle East Business News and Information
Ranking among indexed countries highlight the UAE's world-class healthcare system as it boosts investment in inclusive, accessible, and preventative healthcare. Improved health literacy could save hundreds of millions of dollars in healthcare costs, report finds. Abu Dhabi, UAE: The UAE ranks first globally in health outreach programmes, community participation in health policy, and wellbeing promotion, according to the newly launched Health Inclusivity Index , developed by Haleon in partnership with Economist Impact. The findings were unveiled at a high-level panel discussion in Abu Dhabi hosted by Haleon, the UAE-UK Business Council, and Economist Impact under the theme 'From Awareness to Action: Building Healthier Communities Through Self-Care and Literacy.' The event convened senior leadership across government, academia, and the healthcare sector including the Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, MPH, MA, DrPH, FRCPI, Executive Director of Community Health Sector, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre; Arda Arat, General Manager, GNE, Haleon; Dr. Bhawani Bhatnagar, Senior Vice President Clinical Innovation, Daman; Paul Downey, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Biobank; and Gerard Dunleavy, Senior Consultant, Economist Impact, Health Policy. Opening remarks were delivered by Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, followed by a special address from Bradley Jones, Executive Director of the Joint Secretariat of the UAE–UK Business Council, who highlighted the Council's role in fostering bilateral collaboration in healthcare and beyond. The Index benchmarks 40 countries across 58 indicators, evaluating their performance in health literacy, outreach, inclusion, and equity. The UAE ranked among the top performers, highlighting its global leadership in inclusive and preventative healthcare. The UAE is among the top five countries globally among the indexed countries for person-centred healthcare and second for inclusive health system implementation. The UAE ranks tenth globally in health literacy, with levels increasing by 30% over the past three years. This outcome reflects the ongoing growth of public awareness as well as expanded outreach, enhanced access, and strategic cross sectoral partnerships. The Index also highlights the impact of inclusive health models that remove systemic barriers – especially for women, low-income individuals, adults over 50, and those with low health literacy – on economic resilience. Reducing low health literacy by 25% in the UAE could generate $2.3 billion annually in healthcare savings for the nation. Moreover, low health literacy is associated with 2.8 times higher health costs per person, emphasising the importance of targeted interventions. Enhancing oral health could save $572 million in lifetime costs related to tooth decay. Over 8.2 million working hours are lost every year due to tooth decay and healthcare issues that arise from it incurring over $175 million per year in productivity losses. Addressing anaemia among women of reproductive age – currently affecting 24.3% – could save $336 million annually in healthcare costs. Additionally, improved gum disease management could also reduce costs related to Type 2 diabetes by over $809 million over a decade. Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health Sector, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre said: 'At Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, we are committed to building inclusive, prevention-led systems that empower individuals and protect communities. This gathering reflects our shared belief that health promotion, awareness, and collaboration are key to shaping a more resilient and equitable future for all.' Bradley Jones; Executive Director of the Joint Secretariat of the UAE – UK Business Council, said: 'As a member of the UAE-UK Business Council, Haleon exemplifies the kind of purpose-driven collaboration between the UAE and the UK we champion. This convening of public and private sector thought leaders in health and wellbeing reflects our shared commitment to advancing inclusive health systems and turning data into action that benefits communities across both nations.' Arda Arat, General Manager, GNE, Haleon said: 'The Index is more than a measurement tool – it's a call to action. It shows how removing barriers to everyday health can strengthen economics and societies. The UAE's leadership in outreach and person-centred care is a powerful example of how inclusive systems drive wellbeing and national resilience. At Haleon, we're committed to empowering people through self-care so that lack of awareness or information never stands in the way of people achieving better health.' Paul Downey, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Biobank said: 'Inclusive health research begins with public understanding. By improving health literacy and harnessing the vast potential of biological and medical data, we're not only increasing participation, but we're also ensuring that the future of healthcare is shaped by the full diversity of the people it serves. That is exactly what Abu Dhabi Biobank is committed to delivering, thus contributing to solutions for local and global health challenges with precision and purpose.' Gerard Dunleavy, Senior Consultant, Economist Impact, Health Policy said: 'Health literacy and inclusivity are not just moral imperatives — they are the bedrock of a thriving economy. The Health Inclusivity Index demonstrates the substantial economic benefits of tackling systemic health inequalities. When nations prioritize health literacy and inclusion, they realize measurable gains: reduced healthcare expenditures, increased workforce participation, and communities that are more resilient and prosperous'. About Haleon: Haleon (LSE / NYSE: HLN) is a global leader in consumer health, with a purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity. Haleon's product portfolio spans five major categories – Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health and Other, and Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS). Its long-standing brands – such as Advil, Sensodyne, Panadol, Voltaren, Theraflu, Otrivin, Polident, parodontax and Centrum – are built on trusted science, innovation and deep human understanding.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
UAE ranks high for inclusive, people-centred health system in new index
11 July 2025 00:53 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The UAE has ranked among the top countries for inclusive health systems, according to a new of the 40 nations assessed in the Health Inclusivity Index, the UAE secured the eighth spot for its health system, one of the three domains of the study. The country scored 77.8 in this area, reflecting the strength and scope of its healthcare system. The index by Economist Impact, supported by consumer health company Haleon, is based on insights from a survey of 42,000 people across 40 countries. It was launched on Thursday in partnership with the UAE-UK Business Council, during an event that saw industry leaders discuss how improving health literacy can foster community-centred care.'The UAE is not just preparing for the future — it is actively changing,' said Arda Arat, General Manager of Haleon Gulf and Near East. Arat described the UAE's healthcare strategy as 'future-looking'. '[The country is] generally in the first 10 among 40 countries — very high on wellbeing, person-centred care, and inclusive systems,' he said. 'Inclusive health systems' is one of the index's three primary domains. The other two are 'health in society' and 'people and community empowerment', emphasising the importance of literacy and public awareness in building healthier Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), recognised the importance of translating data and strategy into real changes in the community and within households. 'Our main target is to have a health-literate, empowered community ... making the right lifestyle choices from childhood,' Dr. Al Hajeri told Aletihad on the sidelines of the index's launch. Healthcare, she emphasised, goes beyond curing disease: 'The real target is having people reach their maximum health potential.''Care does not start at the hospital; it starts in our homes and communities,' Dr. Al Hajeri said. She also stressed that an appropriate shift in wellbeing mindset and priorities could build not only a healthy community but a happy family life. In Abu Dhabi, the vision is to build a system where 'everyone receives the care they deserve — curative and preventative —regardless of who they are or where they live', she said. Pointing to initiatives like Sahatna and Malaffi, Dr. Al Hajeri reaffirmed: 'We have built a whole institution to make inclusivity real — measurable, actionable, and lasting.' From Awareness to ActionBradley Jones, Executive Director of the UAE–UK Business Council, affirmed that health literacy is not only about keeping the public informed — 'it is about empowerment'. Jones called the Health Inclusivity Index 'a very important and impactful report'. 'This is just the beginning. Let's move from awareness to action and build a healthier, more inclusive future,' he said. Arat said the index's launch could mark the start of a shift 'from awareness to action' on health literacy and inclusivity. 'The index is just a number. It is about what you do with that… If you take it from people up, starting with their understanding and empowering them to act, it will have a change,' he said.
Mid East Info
09-07-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
From Awareness to Action: Building Healthier Communities Through Self-Care & Literacy - Middle East Business News and Information - mid-east.info
Invitation With opening remarks from Her Excellency Dr Omniyat Mohammed Al Hajeri MD, MPH, MA, DrPH, FRCPI, Executive Director of Community Health Sector, Abu Dhabi Public Health Center Haleon, in partnership with the UAE-UK Business Council s Economist Impact, cordially invites you for the launch of the Health Inclusivity Index with a high-level panel discussion on From Awareness to Action: Building Healthier Communities Through Self-Care and Literacy Thursday, 10 July 2025 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island We look forward to your presence as we shape the conversation around inclusive health and community empowerment.
