MoHAP launches National Survey for Health and Nutrition 2024to bolster UAE’s public health policies.

Dubai: Very soon surveyors may visit you for the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025. Driven by its commitment to enhancing public health and contributing to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025 in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Dubai Health Authority, and the Dubai Data and Statistics– Digital Dubai Authority.

In a press conference conducted by HE Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, HE Mohamed Hassan, Executive Director of the Statistics and Data Science Sector at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, Dr. Alia Zaid Harbi, Director of the Statistics and Research Center at MoHAP and Khalid Al Jallaf Director of the Research, Studies and Data Analysis Department at Dubai Health Authority, announced that the survey aims to reach 20,000 families, including citizens, residents, and 2,000 workers nationwide. The target demographic includes adults over 18, women aged 15 to 49, pregnant women, and children from one to 17 years old.

There will be two different format of surveys about health and nutrition for accurate results, also as this survey will get the opinion of blue collar workers also, it will be available in 4 different languages Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu. Area of the survey is pan UAE.

This survey is focusing on nitrition also and surveyors may ask questions about the Micronutrient deficiencies (zinc MNDs, vitamin A, vitamin D), Urinary iodine and sodium levels, Anemia in pregnant women and Salt consumption in grams. In case of not knowing your vitals and reading of indicators, surveyors will conduct the blood tests also on the spot.

Facts & Figures

  • Targeting 10,000 families in each survey, comprising 40% citizens and 60% residents.
  • Surveys conducted in 4 languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu.
  • Survey participants include adults over 18 years, females aged 15 to 49, pregnant women, and children in two segments: from one day to 5 years old, and from 6 to 17 years old.
  • Surveys to include 2,000 workers from nationwide accommodations
  • Questionnaires approved by the World Health Organization and local health authorities.

Participating Government Entities:

  • Ministry of Health and Prevention
  • Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center
  • Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
  • Abu Dhabi Public Health Center
  • Dubai Health Authority
  • Dubai Data and Statistics

Health Survey Indicators:

  1. Socio-economic indicators
  2. Family health expenditures
  3. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and risk factors (STEPS)
  4. Biophysical metrics
  5. Access to and utilization of healthcare
  6. Air pollution indicators

Nutrition Survey Indicators:

  1. Micronutrient deficiencies (zinc MNDs, vitamin A, vitamin D)
  2. Dietary intake
  3. Child development indicators (stunting, wasting, obesity, underweight) for ages one day to 5 years
  4. Urinary iodine and sodium levels
  5. Anemia in pregnant women
  6. Salt consumption in grams

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Health Survey Objectives:

  1. Methodically collect reliable field information on the health landscape in the UAE.
  2. Adopt a national statistical methodology adhering to the highest international standards.
  3. Update the population health database.
  4. Measure health performance indicators.

Nutrition Survey Objectives:

  1. Collect field data on the nutritional landscape in the UAE.
  2. Support planning strategies and state-level food health policies.
  3. Update the population food database.