Abu Dhabi has launched 25 strategic initiatives under its Healthy Living Strategy, a government-led effort aimed at preventing chronic diseases and making healthier choices easier for residents across the emirate.
The program, led by Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and coordinated through Healthy Living, focuses on reducing non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The strategy was endorsed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during an Abu Dhabi Executive Council session.
Five Key Areas of Action
The 25 initiatives span five main domains:
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Enhanced infrastructure
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Community programs
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Evidence-based policies and regulations
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Literacy and awareness
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Improved access to healthcare interventions
Officials say the goal is to remove barriers to daily healthy habits and make wellbeing part of everyday life.
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said the strategy treats wellbeing as “core infrastructure,” bringing together government, private sector partners, and communities to reshape environments that influence daily behavior.
Focus Areas in the First Phase
The initial rollout prioritizes:
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Increasing physical activity
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Improving nutrition
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Strengthening health awareness
Other areas such as sleep and mental wellbeing will be introduced later this year.
Dr Ahmed AlKhazraji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, said the aim is to empower residents with the right information while preserving personal choice and enjoyment of food. He described the strategy as a shift from reactive care to prevention and early intervention.
Early Milestones
Several initiatives are already underway.
A new responsible food advertising policy, effective since November 2025, regulates how food and beverages are promoted in public spaces. It was developed in partnership with entities including the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.
The Degayeg community initiative, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, has hosted more than 500 physical activity events since October 2025, engaging over 7,700 participants. Fitness festivals will continue every two months in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Nutri-Mark front-of-pack labelling system, introduced by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, grades packaged foods from A to E based on nutritional value. Residents can scan products through the TAMM app to view their Nutri-Mark score.
The Festival of Health, held in December 2025 across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, attracted nearly 50,000 participants.
Residents can expect more policies, community events, and food labelling systems designed to support healthier daily choices across Abu Dhabi in 2026.