The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) to conduct a cohort study titled “UAE Healthy Future Study”.

The study seeks to determine how the health of 20,000 UAE nationals, aged 18-40, is affected by their lifestyle, environment, and genes, specifically looking at risk factors for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, including genetic, microbial and biochemical factors. Participants will be recruited from multiple sites including health care facilities, universities, major employers and by using a mobile clinic.

The purpose of conducting this study— which supports the Public Health Research Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi—  is to determine the risk factors and causes of these common diseases in the United Arab Emirates.

Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of the DHA and NYUAD Provost, Professor Fabio Piano, signed the MoU.

Commenting on the MoU, Al Qutami said, “DHA promotes research in the health sector as research provides gold-standard evidence-based data, which we can utilise to develop effective public health policies and strategies. Healthcare research and development directly improves patient care and aids in finding solutions to pressing health issues. We, at the DHA, are keen to promote and foster medical research and to work with prestigious organisations and universities in UAE, such as NYUAD, to better public health policies and patient care.”

Fabio Piano said, “This agreement with the DHA is a significant milestone for NYUAD’s Public Health Research Centre and its pioneering UAE Healthy Future Study. Collaborating with the DHA will enable us to expand the study even further, increasing the pool of potential participants and extending the reach and potential impact of this landmark study. We deeply appreciate DHA’s support and partnership as we seek to understand and contribute to a healthier future for the UAE.”