UAE, UK leaders urge stronger health literacy at Abu Dhabi Longevity Summit

UAE—UAE and UK healthcare leaders called for stronger health literacy at a bilateral wellbeing and longevity summit in Abu Dhabi to help people benefit from advances in genomics, precision medicine and preventive healthcare.

Organised by the UAE–UK Business Council with support from Haleon, the UK–UAE Collaboration in Wellbeing & Longevity Summit brought together representatives from government, regulatory agencies, insurance, healthcare and life sciences.

The meeting was attended by UK Ambassador to the UAE Geraldine McCafferty and Emirates Drug Establishment Director General Dr Fatima Al Kaabi.

Speakers stressed that medical innovation must go hand in hand with public education and coordinated action across healthcare systems, insurers, employers and regulators.

They argued that people need the knowledge and support to understand health risks and make informed decisions before conditions require more complex treatment.

Abu Dhabi expands its longevity and life sciences sector

The discussions come as Abu Dhabi strengthens its position in healthcare and life sciences as part of its economic diversification strategy.

The emirate’s Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) cluster, which covers medical innovation, pharmaceutical manufacturing and advanced biotechnology, is projected to contribute nearly AED 94 billion (US$25.6 billion) to gross domestic product and create approximately 30,000 jobs by 2045.

Abu Dhabi has also introduced a licensing framework for Healthy Longevity Medicine Centres focused on personalised prevention and earlier disease detection.

These developments create opportunities for pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, insurers and technology firms, while increasing the need for public awareness and accessible preventive services.

McCafferty said the UK and UAE were working together in genomics, precision medicine, artificial intelligence and life sciences to improve healthcare outcomes and quality of life. She described longer, healthier lives as an important opportunity for both countries and highlighted the value of sharing expertise and research.

Health literacy supports preventive care

Arda Arat, general manager of Haleon’s Gulf Near East Cluster, said the UAE was developing advanced capabilities to identify health risks earlier, but warned that predictions alone would not improve health outcomes unless people understood the information and knew how to act on it.

He said health literacy and responsible self-care could help people manage their health earlier and reduce the need for more complex interventions.

Haleon aims to contribute to this effort by supporting informed health decisions and greater public understanding of everyday health.

Three panel discussions featured senior representatives from Al Tamimi & Co, Alvarez & Marsal, Cigna Healthcare, Etihad, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Browne Jacobson, PureHealth and Nabta Health.

Bradley Jones, chief executive officer of the UAE–UK Business Council, said Abu Dhabi had built momentum in longevity, life sciences and preventive health.

He called for closer coordination among governments, regulators, healthcare providers, insurers, employers and industry to address barriers that prevent people from accessing healthier lives.

He also highlighted opportunities for UK and UAE businesses to exchange knowledge, research and expertise.

The summit builds on the council’s collaboration with Haleon on health inclusivity, including the Health Inclusivity Index developed with Economist Impact and launched in Abu Dhabi in July 2025.

The latest discussions focused on translating evidence about health inequalities into practical measures, including earlier intervention, stronger health literacy and broader access to healthcare innovation.

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