DUBAI 26 March 2019: Cholestrol, obesity and high blood pressure are the three major ailments affecting people living in the UAE, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s WHO-approved national health survey.
Prevalence of High Cholesterol 43.7%
The proportion of adults suffering from high cholesterol levels fell to 43.7%, down from 57.6 % in 2010. Doctors usually use the total cholesterol of the patient to determine the risk of having heart disease and how to manage it.
Prevalence of High Blood Pressure 28.8%
The total number adults who suffer from hypertension or have reported taking hypertension medicines stood at 28.8%. To further reduce the prevalence of hypertension, the ministry will intensify efforts to launch hypertension awareness campaigns, early detection, reduce salt consumption, and will coordinate with competent authorities to pass a legislation reducing the consumption of salt and saturated fats.
Prevalence of Obesity 27.8%
The proportion of adults suffering from obesity has gone down to 27.8% compared to 37.2% in 2010. This improvement was attributed to government actions, which included launching health awareness campaigns, early intervention programs for children and adults with weight loss challenges, public health draft law, interactive map for physical-activity-promoting venues, and ‘Etminan’ initiative, a periodic examination program measuring body mass and referring overweight or obese people to nutrition clinics or weight care centers to help them achieve a healthy weight.
Diabetes among Adults 11.8%
The survey results showed that diabetes among adults (over the age of 18) or those who suffer from high blood glucose or took diabetes medications the day of participating in the survey, dropped to 11.8% from 18.9% in 2010.
Prevalence of Smoking 9.1%
The percentage of smokers over the age of 18 years has gone to as low as 9.1% down from 11.1% in 2010. The significant decrease is attributed to activating Tobacco Control laws and regulations, strengthening smoking cessation services, awareness campaigns, Federal Law No.15 of 2009 regarding Tobacco Control Public health draft law, increasing the number of smoking cessation clinics and levying excise tax on tobacco products, among other initiatives.
Exclusive Breastfeeding 59.7%
The proportion of babies (0-5 months) who were exclusively breastfed was as high as 59.7 % up from 34% in 2010, which reflects the effectiveness of related awareness campaigns.
Overall Satisfaction in UAE Healthcare Service Delivery 96%
The overall satisfaction in the UAE healthcare service delivery has been as high as 96%.
Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, stated that: “The outcome will help update the results of several strategic health indicators, and promote programmes of national health planning and policies, in addition to exploring the healthcare future, to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 aiming to adopt a world-class health system and objectives of the Sustainable Development 2030 to boost the competitiveness index of the UAE in the global fields.”
Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, highlighted MoHAP’s efforts to develop quality and safety for therapeutic, healthcare and pharmaceutical systems according to international standards, as per the statistical facts and smart analytics tools for decision-making and enactment of appropriate health policies.
