Today's Edition
SAMI ABDULRAOUF (DUBAI)
State-level health authorities have identified 12 primary preventive measures against chronic diseases and associated risk factors in women. Additionally, they have specified three measures for timely detection and effective intervention in chronic cases affecting women and girls.
These efforts align with the recently announced National Policy aimed at enhancing women’s health across the country. Chronic diseases, which account for most deaths among women aged 60 and above worldwide, pose a substantial burden on individuals, families, healthcare providers, and the overall healthcare system.
Many of the health problems faced by elderly women result from risk factors that arise during adolescence and puberty, such as smoking and unhealthy lifestyles, like sedentary behaviour and unhealthy diets, the authorities said. Prevention opportunities from non-communicable diseases and their control occur at various stages of a woman’s life, and interventions conducted in early stages of life often provide better chances of primary prevention.
The UAE health authorities emphasise a comprehensive approach, starting from maternal health. This includes pre-pregnancy and antenatal care, postpartum support, and infant nutrition. Reducing exposure to risk factors is crucial, and healthy infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding, play a pivotal role.
Key preventive measures include investing in positive prevention and early intervention from childhood. Social determinants of health are a focus, along with tailored diagnosis and treatment based on genetic determinants. Raising awareness and promoting primary prevention are essential. This involves addressing unhealthy food consumption, combating physical inactivity, and combating tobacco use.
The authorities emphasised the importance of staying informed about evidence-based guidelines while prioritising wellbeing and quality of life. The health services provided encompass various life stages, ensuring breastfeeding and healthy nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood.
Virtual healthcare, including preventive virtual lifestyle clinics, aims to mitigate lifestyle-related disease risk factors. Behavioural incentives encourage healthy dietary choices, while promoting access to diverse food options and providing guidance on food preparation methods.
Furthermore, authorities noted the need to adopt public health programmes, to make them an important routine part of women’s daily life activities according to the best international standards to promote physical activity for women, according to social, cultural, and economic determinants in various environments and emphasised collaborating with relevant sectors to promote physical activity in workplaces.
The preventive measures also include public health programmes to combat smoking among females, aiming to prevent initiation and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with its use, according to the best international standards.
Innovative opportunities for health education and behaviour modification remain a priority, especially among adolescent girls, and to enhance preventive health programmes for people of determination, authorities said.
The National Policy to enhance women’s health has outlined three critical measures for detecting and intervening in chronic cases affecting women and girls: screening awareness campaigns, access to cancer screenings, and the integration of vaccination services.
Then the policy discussed the process of integrating health services catering to the needs of women and girls into basic health services. Four key aspects drive this integration: addressing social determinants, developing peer and support groups, encouraging women to exchange supportive information and success stories, and activating a Women’s Health Day.
