Through its Weqaya (precaution) Screening Programme, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) expects to reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes among Emiratis by 75 per cent within the next 10 years.
Speaking during his presentation at the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress 2010, Dr Oliver Harrison, Director of Public Health and Policy at the HAAD, said: “We have screened 97 per cent of the adult population [over 18 years], and are working closely with each and every single individual since that time,” he said.
Pragmatic behaviour changes require three mechanisms: encourage, enable and enforce, said Harrison.
“We’re in the business of understanding the biological challenges nature has deployed on individuals, and tackling individual behaviours. One can change patterns of behaviour through ongoing experiments and education awareness.”
When asked what HAAD’s initiatives are with expatriates across the emirate, the public health expert said: “There’s a programme for low paid expatriates through different health insurance programmes. We’re exploring the prevalence of different diseases among expatriates during their short stay in the country, through healthy lifestyle programmes.”
HAAD is also in talks with the Urban Planning Council and the Abu Dhabi Food Authority on introducing more affordable fruits and vegetables in the market.
“We’re trying to empower individuals to make decisions for themselves,” he said.
Gulf News