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NYUAD Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Department of Health – Abu Dhabi

"To prevent society from chronic diseases and providing a healthier lifestyle for the future generation in the emirate of Abu Dhabi"

Press Release

NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) signed an inaugural Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH). The two organizations are collaborating on NYUAD’s UAE Healthy Future study, a long-term ongoing study that was launched by the NYUAD Public Health Research Center in 2017, to understand the causes of common chronic diseases among Emiratis, focusing particularly on priority areas of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The study aims to recruit 20,000 UAE nationals between the ages of 18-40 with over 5,000 participants already signed up to date.

The MOU was signed by H.E. Mohamed Hamad Al Hameli, Undersecretary of DOH, and Fabio Piano, Provost of NYU Abu Dhabi, at the University’s campus on Saadiyat Island.

 

The collaboration will support the mission shared between the two organizations to improve the health of the local population. The results of the UAE Healthy Future Study will be significantly improved by linking the participants’ results (with their informed consent) with data collected by the Department of Health. Furthermore, the study will also work closely with DOH to collect additional information on the participants’ diets – a key risk factor for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

H.E. Mohamed Hamad Al Hameli, Undersecretary of DOH said: “The signing of Memorandum of Understanding to study the UAE Healthy Future is a fundamental pillar to build a healthier future for society. Hence, this will aid in finding the radical solutions to prevent society from chronic diseases and providing a healthier lifestyle for the future generation in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in belief that prevention is better than cure.”

This agreement marks the beginning of a remarkable opportunity for collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) on the landmark UAE Healthy Future study. This partnership is a testament to the NYUAD Public Health Research Center’s significant efforts and exceptional dedication to the success of this first-of-its-kind study, and we're honored that our partners at DOH recognize its potential impact on the future health, lifestyle, and wellbeing of the UAE.

NYU Abu Dhabi Provost Fabio Piano

NYUAD, in association with its Abu Dhabi partner, Tamkeen, is leading the UAE Healthy Future Study in collaboration with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and alongside the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Zayed Military Hospital, United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University, Khalifa University, Emirates ICT Innovation Center, Mubadala Healthpoint Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Capital Health Screening Center, Daman, Higher Colleges of Technology, and the NYU Langone School of Medicine.

About NYU Abu Dhabi

NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship. The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from over 115 countries and speak over 115 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.

About UAE Healthy Future

The UAE Healthy Future is a study aimed at understanding the source and cause of the rising numbers in obesity, diabetes and heart disease among Emiratis. The study invites all UAE nationals, between the age of 18 and 40, to participate. Participation involves attending an assessment center, and being contacted in the future for follow-up. All data will be treated with absolute confidentiality.  Participation in the study is entirely voluntary. For more information and for participation details, please visit the UAE Healthy Future study website on www.UAEHealthyFuture.ae  or contact the study team on 8002327.

About Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH)

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is the regulatory body of the Healthcare Sector at the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and ensures excellence in Healthcare for the community by monitoring the health status of the population. DoH defines the strategy for the health system, monitors and analyses the health status of the population and performance of the system. In addition, DoH shapes the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforce standards, and encourages adoption of world – class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare service providers in the Emirate. DoH also drives programs to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating scope of services, premiums and reimbursement rates of the health system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. For more information visit www.haad.ae

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