The Healthy Living Strategy, led by the DoH, is a government- wide commitment to support citizens and residents to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives and address the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Healthy Living generates actionable insights from Abu Dhabi’s intelligent health system to inform policy and guide decision-making across both the public and private sectors. The strategy uses near real-time insights to design, implement and evaluate cross-sector interventions that make healthy lifestyles accessible and sustainable for everyone in Abu Dhabi. The insight-led strategy enables collaboration among more than 20 Abu Dhabi and federal government entities – including the Abu Dhabi Department for Community Development, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport – as well as private-sector partners. Through Abu Dhabi’s PHI platform, communities with the highest obesity and physical inactivity risks were identified. Through cross collaboration with other government and private-sector entities, more than 200 community activations in 13 priority districts were launched within three months. These activations include walking groups, trainer-led fitness sessions, competitions and home-based workout programmes, all tailored to the needs of different demographic groups including youth, elderly people and people of determination (the UAE term for individuals with disabilities). These insights are also informing future investment in fitness infrastructure, with the goal that every Abu Dhabi resident will live within a 5–10-minute drive of a fitness facility – making health the easy choice for all. Other intelligence-driven Healthy Living initiatives include a ban on advertisements for unhealthy food and beverage (F&B) products across out-of-home media assets, which took effect in October 2025. This measure aims to reduce exposure to unhealthy F&B marketing that has been linked to increased purchases of unhealthy products and, in turn, higher rates of overweight and obesity – particularly among children and youth. Recognizing the important role of school environments in promoting health and well-being among young people, geolocation fencing is also being implemented around designated zones such as schools to restrict online food delivery. This initiative draws on spatial data to define and enforce these restricted zones. The PHI platform also plays a critical role in evaluating these Healthy Living initiatives against key performance indicators (KPIs), such as increases in physical activity levels and obesity prevalence. This allows for the efficient targeting of resources and supports evidence-based decision-making to encourage healthier environments. Rather than treating illness after it arises, Healthy Living’s proactive approach focuses on anticipating and preventing health challenges before they become widespread.CASE STUDY 1 Healthy Living Strategy in action A New Era for Digital Health: Abu Dhabi’s Leap to Health Intelligence 20

A New Era for Digital Health 2026