Source : WAM
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in collaboration with national partners, has released the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024–2025, offering a comprehensive overview of population health and providing a strong evidence base to strengthen preventive care and guide future health planning across the UAE.
Endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the survey was conducted by MoHAP in partnership with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, federal and local authorities, and a wide network of stakeholders nationwide.
The survey assessed key health and nutrition indicators, including health behaviors, dietary patterns, maternal and child health, and risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Its findings support the development of health strategies and policies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ahmed Ali Al-Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the survey’s findings reflect the UAE’s people-centered development model and the leadership’s long-standing commitment to health, wellbeing, and quality of life as national priorities.
“These findings provide a clear, evidence-based picture of population health trends and reinforce the importance of prevention, early intervention, and long-term planning,” Al-Sayegh said. “They support the UAE’s development journey in line with the leadership’s directives and government priorities, ensuring that health policy continues to place people’s wellbeing at the centre of national progress.”
He added that the findings help direct resources toward priority areas and translate data into targeted health initiatives that strengthen preventive care, support families, enhance quality of life, and contribute to achieving the SDGs.
Advanced digital and analytical tools were used to process the data and generate indicators with strong predictive value, reinforcing evidence-based planning across the healthcare sector.
The survey serves as a key national reference for developing health policies and programs grounded in accurate data and scientific evidence. It provides deeper insight into the health and nutrition status of different population groups, enabling preventive and proactive approaches that improve health outcomes and quality of life.
The results also support evaluating the impact of health policies, enhancing coordination among national partners, and advancing the UAE’s vision of a resilient and sustainable healthcare system capable of meeting future challenges.
Regular implementation of the survey reflects a national approach to continuous health assessment, strengthening governance and enabling early detection of emerging health trends.
As the UAE marks the Year of the Family, the findings offer a strong knowledge base to support integrated family health planning across all life stages, with a focus on maternal health, child wellbeing, and healthy aging.
The indicators further support legislative development, promote innovation and research, and expand digital monitoring solutions—enhancing system readiness and supporting the UAE Centennial 2071 goals through a proactive healthcare system.
The Minister expressed appreciation to community members who participated in the survey and to the field teams who conducted it in line with WHO-approved scientific methodologies and international standards.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, said, “The National Health and Nutrition Survey represent an advanced model of institutional integration and joint statistical work at the federal and local levels. It is a national achievement built on public trust and data-driven planning, where the true value of data lies not in the numbers themselves, but in the knowledge they generate enabling a deeper understanding of the health and nutritional reality of UAE society, measuring the impact of policies and legislation, and guiding the more efficient allocation of resources.”
She added that the outputs represent a sustainable national knowledge asset supporting decision-making and the development of a resilient healthcare system aligned with the UAE’s long-term vision.
Dr. Alawi Al Sheikh Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, said the survey is a foundational tool for effective health policy, enabling accurate assessment of population health and strengthening efforts to prevent and reduce chronic diseases.
Dr. Abdelaziz Saeed Al Mheiri, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, stressed the importance of regularly conducting the survey nationwide to ensure continuous monitoring of health indicators and support the adoption of innovative health initiatives.
He noted that the findings demonstrate the leadership’s strong commitment to health and nutrition as key pillars of sustainable development and encouraged community members to adopt healthy lifestyles and regular physical activity.
Survey results among adults aged 18 and above showed that 8.7% smoke and 59.1% do not engage in sufficient physical activity. The findings also revealed that 22.4% of adults live with obesity, 25.9% have high blood pressure, 12.5% have elevated blood glucose levels, and 54.2% have high cholesterol.
Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using WHO-approved electronic questionnaires in multiple languages, alongside laboratory testing. All data were used solely for statistical and research purposes, with strict privacy safeguards.
The National Nutrition Survey found that 27.3% of adults exceeded recommended sugar intake, while 96.2% exceeded sodium limits. Daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was reported by 27.4%. Average daily fiber intake reached 23.1 grams, while 56.1% exceeded recommended fat intake, and average energy intake was 2,852.3 kilocalories.
Encouraging results were recorded in dietary diversity, with 85.1% of women aged 15–49 and 77.9% of children aged 6 months to 5 years meeting minimum dietary diversity standards.
Childhood obesity rates stood at 16.1% among children aged 6–17, compared to 2.2% among those aged 0–5. Vitamin D deficiency remained prevalent, affecting 49.3% of adults and 69.1% of children aged 6–17.
Maternal health indicators showed strong access to care, with 99.6% of women visiting a physician at least once during pregnancy and 94.8% attending at least four antenatal visits.
Dr. Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, stated that the survey findings are part of an integrated national public health framework, supporting non-communicable disease prevention, improved nutrition outcomes, maternal and child health, and expanded access to quality healthcare.
He noted that sharing the findings with national and international partners, including the World Health Organization, supports alignment of priorities and the development of collaborative, evidence-based initiatives.
Looking ahead, he said the findings will guide the development of innovative health programs, expanded preventive screening, and clear health messaging aimed at empowering individuals to make healthier daily choices and supporting a society where health and quality of life are protected and sustained.
Dr. Alya Zaid Harbi, Director of the Statistics and Research Centre at MoHAP, highlighted that the survey’s findings carry significant scientific value due to the use of rigorous statistical methodologies in data collection and analysis, supported by expertise in health research and biostatistics.
She noted that digital tools played a key role in ensuring data accuracy, streamlining validation, and accelerating indicator extraction, enabling more precise evaluation of previous health policies. She also emphasized that the balanced sample design across population and age groups enhances the credibility of the findings and supports regional and international comparability, including data sharing with the World Health Organisation.
The survey followed a well-structured national process, starting with methodological preparation, moving through extensive fieldwork, and ending with comprehensive statistical analysis conducted in collaboration with national partners.
It covered 20,000 households across the UAE—40% citizens and 60% residents—plus 2,000 individuals in workers’ accommodations, providing broad representation and a solid basis for future health planning.
