Innovative messaging to deliver cancer advice and harnessing the power of social media can help improve the public’s understanding of their health, doctors said.
A recent study of almost 2,300 patients who visited private and public hospitals and clinics across the UAE between January 2019 and May 2020 found that 76 per cent had inadequate or limited health literacy.
The term is characterised by an understanding of how to use information and services to make health-related decisions and is a global marker of health outcomes.
Through this partnership, we aim to increase awareness and encourage people to go for routine check-ups that could save their lives
Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi,
senior vice president of Dubai Science Park
Women were 2.5 times more health literate than men in research conducted by hospitals in Al Ain, Ajman and the Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences in Abu Dhabi.
Respondents were asked to complete a questionnaire to test their competence in form filling, understanding of medical history and diagnosis, prescriptions and how to take medications correctly.
“Studies across the world show health literacy is important to health outcomes, and helps with prevention,” said Prof Abdel Rahman Omer, chief executive of Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi and a consultant surgeon.
“Covid was an alarm bell, and overall we are better now than before but there is still a way to go.
“Women generally are more health literate than men.
“Pregnancy is a health issue, so many have a good experience of speaking with doctors and monitoring their own health.”
Health literacy is a global issue, and a component of UN sustainability goals to help eradicate poverty and improve the socio-economic status of communities.
In the US, a large-scale survey found just 12 per cent of Americans demonstrated an adequate level of health literacy, while the European Health Literacy survey revealed 47 per cent of respondents had limited health literacy.
Burjeel Hospital is tackling the issue by encouraging patient focus groups to discuss health care, and through question-and-answer sessions with doctors to educate communities.
“Literacy can improve at the school level, with direct or indirect health education, and hospital visits to get them accustomed to a healthcare environment,” said Prof Omer.
“There should be more friendly annual or bi-annual health check-ups for children, like they do for their dental care.
“Social media is a strong tool that can be used to educate children as long as they are shorter than a minute to keep them engaged and provoke curiosity.
“It will help develop public attention in health care.
“The UAE is improving. Better literacy can improve health outcomes and offer preventive measures to develop a healthy nation.”
An innovative method of improving public health literacy is under way at Dubai Science Park.
During colon cancer awareness month, sitting stools situated around the park emblazoned with the caption “Stools Save Lives” offered help with how to get tested and to spot early symptoms of the disease.
Smart stools
Via QR codes, people using the stools can access free consultations and half-price testing at the nearby Neuro Spinal Hospital until April 15.
“The burden of colorectal cancer can be completely prevented through regular screening in its early stages,” said Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, senior vice president of Dubai Science Park.
“Through this partnership, we aim to increase awareness and encourage people to go for routine check-ups that could save their lives.”
Regular screening is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. Currently, only about four out of 10 patients detect colorectal cancer at an early stage before it spreads.
The campaign aims to encourage the simple detection of colorectal polyps that can take up to 15 years to build, and can develop into cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer globally, but screening across the region is low.
Health literacy for cancer patients plays an important role in improving patient outcomes, experts say.
“We must all work collaboratively to enhance patient care for all cancers,” said Dr Mariam Al Otaibi, from the Gulf Federation of Cancer Control.
“The partnerships between doctors and industry players are critical to controlling cancer in the Gulf region, to raise awareness for colorectal cancer and the factors delaying diagnosis and treatment like the fear of cancer, common cancer myths and misconceptions.”
Awareness drive for cancer patients in the UAE — in pictures
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Kill%20
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPyppl%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEstablished%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAntti%20Arponen%20and%20Phil%20Reynolds%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20financial%20services%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2418.5%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmployees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20150%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20series%20A%2C%20closed%20in%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20venture%20capital%20companies%2C%20international%20funds%2C%20family%20offices%2C%20high-net-worth%20individuals%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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T20 World Cup Qualifier A, Muscat
Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am - Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm - UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am - Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm - Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm – semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm – final
UAE squad: Ahmed Raza (captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills