Abu Dhabi: For Global Health Week, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre teamed up with the McKinsey Health Institute to release a white paper titled “Roadmap to Improve Metabolic Health for All On April 16, 2025. The report was unveiled before an audience of government officials, healthcare leaders and industry partners, marking a major step in Abu Dhabi’s drive to position itself as a global leader in preventive health.
The analysis shows that tackling metabolic health, rather than focusing on obesity alone, could deliver up to 3.5 times more healthy life years worldwide and add trillions of dollars to global GDP by mid-century. Drawing on data from high-income and low- and middle-income countries, the white paper argues for an aspirational vision backed by a comprehensive intervention program. It calls out three success factors: strong local leadership, cross‑sector collaboration and visible role modelling by government and community figures.
In Abu Dhabi, preventing obesity and related metabolic disorders is already a whole-of-government priority. The report spotlights the Emirate’s Healthy Living Unit—a dedicated body created to coordinate nutrition, exercise and wellness initiatives—as a model for other regions. It also reviews case studies of successful interventions and lays out a phased blueprint for scaling up preventive measures, from policy frameworks to public-private partnerships and digital health tools.
Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director-General of ADPHC, described the publication as “a global wake‑up call,” highlighting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to lead “a new era in preventive health.” McKinsey Health Institute Senior Partner Dr. Panco Georgiev emphasized that improving metabolic health could unlock “45 billion extra years of higher-quality life over the next decade” and praised Abu Dhabi’s data-driven, collaborative approach.
By offering a clear, actionable guide, the white paper aims to help governments and health systems worldwide replicate Abu Dhabi’s success. With more than 1 billion people affected by metabolic disorders today, the roadmap provides a timely framework for public health planning. technology deployment and community engagement—setting the stage for healthier, more productive societies around the globe.
