(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) As part of the UAE vision 2021 to provide world-class healthcare to locals and expatriates, the UAE has been investing in developing nationwide systems to support and integrate digital health services and technologies into its healthcare ecosystem.
A vital component of this effort is the move toward defining public health goals and devising evidence-based policies to tackle the UAE's most pressing healthcare challenges. According to data from the International Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, chronic lifestyle diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, place a heavy burden on the UAE healthcare resources.
Big Data is rousing interest from policy makers and practitioners who will discuss the opportunities and challenges of using Big Data effectively and tangibly to improve everyday clinical practices and patient outcomes at the upcoming Arab Health Congress 2015.
According to a recent report by the U.S. - U.A.E. Business Council, almost 90 percent of deaths in the UAE are caused by chronic lifestyle-induced diseases such as diabetes, coronary and cardiovascular conditions, hypertension and cancer . As a result of urbanisation and rising disposable income, the majority of the GCC population, including the UAE, have adopted a sedentary lifestyle characterised by an aversion to exercise and consumption of processed foods leading to chronic diseases. With the prevalence of chronic diseases on the rise, new ways of managing public health are needed.
Big Data for public health is vital for a more efficient health landscape. According to Dr. Amani Taha Osman, Consultant Paediatric Diabetologist, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Al Ain, "To improve public health policy results, we need to establish figures through a comprehensive diabetes registry involving all paediatric diabetes patients throughout the UAE and to study and analyse this data. Comprehensive data and information will help improve diabetes care by understanding key trends of the country and identifying any attributes or factors that are unique to the region." Dr. Ravi Nair, Chair, Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, added, "Big data can contribute immensely to tackling cardiovascular disease. We need a big database that examines all data and population to identify risks and drivers of cardiovascular disease." The commitment to digital health will be in full display at Arab Health Congress 2015 which will feature key discussions on Big Data and public health. The congress aims to highlight the benefits of Big Data in policy making by improving data exchange and collaboration across healthcare agencies and expand the coverage of adequate healthcare services to a wider population. In line with the vision of UAE leaders, health authorities are rapidly adopting IT solutions that will improve patient care and deliver better data for better decision-making.
More than 11,000 medical professionals are expected to attend the 2015 edition of the Arab Health Congress which is the world's largest multi-track medical congress offering 18 medical conferences. Arab Health is organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions and will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center from 26th-29th January 2015.
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