Abu Dhabi government-led Healthy living programme is rolling out 25 wide-ranging initiatives targeting obesity, diabetes, and heart disease making healthier choices the default for every resident.
February 2026- Abu Dhabi has taken a significant step in its fight against non-communicable diseases, unveiling 25 active initiatives under the Abu Dhabi Healthy Living Strategy, a government led effort to reshape how residents eat, move, and manage their wellbeing every day.
Endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the strategy spans five domains: infrastructure, community programmes, evidence-based policy, health literacy, and improved access to care. More than a dozen government entities are involved in delivery, alongside private sector partners and community organisations.
His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “By treating wellbeing as core infrastructure, we are changing how health is created in Abu Dhabi. Healthy Living brings together government entities, private sector partners and communities at a scale rarely achieved, to reshape the environments that influence daily behaviour. This level of coordination is complex, but it is essential to preventing disease, strengthening families, and enabling longer, healthier lives.”
His Excellency Dr Ahmed AlKhazraji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, said: “We want to make it easier for everyone to eat well, move more and feel supported in managing their health, every day. We aim to empower individuals with the information they need to make informed choices, without compromising personal autonomy or the enjoyment of food. Our initiatives are data-driven, grounded in community insights and delivered in close collaboration with government entities.“
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The programme’s early milestones are already showing results. Degayeg, a community physical activity initiative launched in October 2025, has hosted more than 500 events across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, drawing over 7,700 participants. Fitness festivals held across six city districts attracted a further 1,400 attendees, with events set to continue every two months through 2026.
The Festival of Health, held across three cities in December 2025, drew nearly 50,000 participants and over 40,000 repeat visits, with children making up 37% of attendees, a sign that the programme is reaching families at a formative level.
