Public Health Challenges

Cardiovascular health

Cardiovascular (CVD) diseases are the most common leading cause of death in Emirate of Abu Dhabi (source: HAAD-Mortality report 2009).
Prevalence rate of Diabetes, an established risk factor for CVD, in Emirate of Abu Dhabi is the second highest in the world (source: preliminary analysis of National health screening programme;Weqaya).

Road safety

The goal of this survey is to gather the information regarding the Physiotherapy Continuing Education interests and needs from all the physiotherapists who are currently working in all the health care facilities in Abu Dhabi
Analyze and assess these needs and interests
Provide the HAAD CME Subcommittee with the results to plan for CME courses, works shops and congresses to be conducted in the year of 2010

Tobacco control

Smoking is an established risk factors for CVD as well as many cancers and both are the top killers in Abu Dhabi (source: HAAD-Mortality report 2009).

Cancer

Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (source: HAAD-Mortality report 2009)

Maternal and infant health

Infant mortality rate in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi remains high compared to benchmark countries (Singapore, US, and UK) (source: HAAD-Mortality report 2009)

Healthy schools

Healthy behaviors start in childhood. The choices children make now and the behavior they learn now, will last a lifetime. One of the primary challenges is reverting the Obesity and Diabetes epidemics among children and youth is one of the most effective strategy known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in a population (source: MMWR July 2009/58(RR07);1-26).

Mental health

DALYs measure show that neuropsychiatric illnesses are among the top 5 high burden diseases/conditions in the UAE (Source: WHOSIS data 2004).

Occupational and environmental health and safety

External causes of death is the second leading category of causes of death in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (source: HAAD-Mortality report 2009 and WHOSIS data-2004).

Infectious diseases prevention and control

Although Abu Dhabi has a developed-world pattern of diseases; there is always a need for a ""Communicable disease programme "" to maintain effective prevention and control of vaccine-prevented infectious diseases, outbreaks, and epidemics.

Oral health

There is a big gap between current practices in Abu Dhabi and best-practices with regards to oral health.