Spearheading human and economic development in the Arab world through evidence‐based and world‐class healthcare

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the profile of health and disease and current status of healthcare in the UAE, in particular Emirate of Abu Dhabi, distilling implications for sustainable economic growth and population well being. Design/methodology/approach – A review of available secondary sources including epidemiological and healthcare data and burden of disease (BoD) literature. Findings – The UAE is facing a major epidemiological transition with a shifting BoD in the form of increasing non‐communicable diseases and a high incidence of injuries. In addition to the seemingly upward prevalence of these key drivers is the fact that the recent advances in UAE health service development have been based on substantial investment in physical infrastructure that is not being matched with the human resources, technology assessment, management and governance that are required to ensure sustainability and quality, in the long‐term. Practical implications – It is proposed that sustained economic growth can only be ensured through the design, implementation and evaluation of a coordinated health and healthcare research and development strategy that advances international best‐practice in public health, health service and health promotion. Specifically, the strategy should include ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the general health patterns of the population to inform the prevention of non‐communicable disease and injuries. Prevention strategies should encourage inclusive stakeholder inputs and participation. Originality/value – The paper represents a concise summary of the shifting disease patterns and state of health care in the UAE. Its viewpoint will interest the entire spectrum of healthcare stakeholders: patients, providers and those responsible for planning, assuring the quality of services and financing the health system.