A profile and approach to chronic disease in Abu Dhabi

The growing problem of chronic disease is well documented. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated in 2008 that “Today, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes represent a major threat to human health and development. These four diseases are the world’s biggest killers, causing an estimated 35 million deaths each year - 60% of all deaths globally - with 80% in low- and middle-income countries” [1].Data consistently show a rapidly rising global burden, placing chronic disease near the top of the global risk landscape in terms of both likelihood and severity [2]. Data from Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates making up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) show diseases of the circulatory system consistently make the greatest contribution to emirate mortality, accounting for at least 27% of deaths in 2010 despite its young population (median age 18 for Nationals, 31 for Expatriates) [3] and with the second highest prevalence rate for diabetes in the world (Diabetes Atlas, International Diabetes Federation) [4].The key challenge for chronic disease is the development of effective and scalable interventions. In line with recommendations for global action by the WHO [5], World Economic Forum [6] and Institute of Medicine [7] reports, this chapter sets-out a whole population cardiovascular screening programme, the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi set out its response to health policy, particularly in terms of lifestyle and behaviour change. One such intervention was the Weqaya programme, a population level cardiovascular disease intervention. In addition, this paper also outlines recommendations for global responsibility for tackling chronic disease.The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a small, relatively young country, having established independence 40？years ago, in 1971. The pace of change in the past four decades - including the striking rate of growth and urbanization - has been tremendous, tr