A recent report by Economist Impact, titled “A New Perspective on Alzheimer’s Disease in the UAE,” highlighted the innovative initiatives the country has undertaken to address this major global health challenge. The report identified three key priorities to further enhance the UAE’s response to Alzheimer’s disease.
The first focuses on developing a coordinated, evidence-based national response through policies and plans that engage government entities, the healthcare sector, academic institutions, patients, and caregivers. This includes establishing clear pathways for early diagnosis and appropriate intervention, alongside training healthcare professionals, particularly primary care providers, who are often the first point of contact for patients.
The report also emphasised the importance of raising public awareness about the early signs of Alzheimer’s and improving understanding of available specialised healthcare services and how to access them. This effort involves investing in awareness programmes and addressing stigma and misconceptions surrounding the condition.
Launched during the Fifth Brain Disorders Conference held in Abu Dhabi—with more than 450 experts and specialists in neurology and neurosurgery from around the world in attendance—the report reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to implementing proactive strategies that align with population growth and the rising rates of ageing.
It also highlighted the UAE’s forward-looking measures to mitigate the burden of Alzheimer’s disease, including awareness initiatives led by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and contributions from civil society organisations such as the 4-get-me-not initiative.
Prepared with the support of Lilly, a global leader in Alzheimer’s research and innovation, the report noted the World Health Organisation’s 2015 recognition of Sharjah as the first age-friendly city in the Arab world—a milestone that positioned the emirate as a regional model for promoting healthy ageing.
Serving as a strategic platform, the report underscores the UAE’s regional and global leadership in healthcare, particularly in addressing cognitive and neurodegenerative challenges such as Alzheimer’s. It also reflects the nation’s future-oriented approach—embracing innovation, data-driven research, and integrated care models—to establish itself as a global benchmark for comprehensive and sustainable health responses.
In this context, Roberta Marinelli, President for the Middle East and Turkey and General Manager of Eli Lilly UAE, affirmed the importance of partnership with the UAE’s healthcare community, noting that the country is steadily advancing toward an integrated, collaborative model of Alzheimer’s care built on innovation and multi-sector cooperation.
