10,000 families to participate in major UAE health survey

The initiative will support planning strategies and health policies

Officials announce the health survey in Dubai on Wednesday. Ministry of Health and Prevention

A major national health survey is being conducted by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

It will gather data from 10,000 families across the country on health habits, spending, environmental health and ultimately support the UAE's national health strategy.

Planning began in 2016, field work will be undertaken this year with the final report expected at some point in 2018.

Alya Harbi, director of the statistics and research centre at the ministry, said the information gleaned will work towards reducing mortality, providing services that improve life expectancy and reduce the risk factors and burden of non-communicable diseases.

She said the survey would include data collection and blood tests on cholesterol, haemoglobin levels, blood pressure, height, weight and waist.

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The survey covers groups such as adults of 18 years and above; children under the age of five; and those aged 60 and above. The samples were randomly selected by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and comprise 40 per cent citizens and 60 per cent residents from 10,000 families across all seven emirates. The field work for the survey is expected to take six months.

“The aim of the national health survey is to primarily enhance the health and protection of UAE society," said Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, director of public health at the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi.

"We call on everyone in the community to participate in the national health survey, which will create a positive impact on the development of health-care services and help raise the quality of life for all members of society.”

The statistics team at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) worked closely with the ministry on the survey.

"I would like to call on all the families that will be participating in this survey to cooperate and support the field surveyors, as this project is designed to help families and UAE as a whole," said the FCSA's Mohammed Ahli.

The ministry has distributed identification cards to the survey team for residents to identify them. All stages will be clarified through visits of the survey team, the media and the ministry's website. Inquiries can also be emailed to [e-mail] or by calling 800 11111.

The survey is endorsed by the World Health Organisation and will help the UAE achieve the objectives of the 2021 National Agenda and the overall development goals for 2030, Haad said.

The ministry on Wednesday also called on families selected in the survey to facilitate the work of the local teams by filling out electronic questionnaires to ensure accurate statistical data.