NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical) in Abu Dhabi, the parent organization of Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children, HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers, and Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi. A key point of the MoU is establishing the HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi as one of the main clinic sites for the UAE Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS) which was due to start accepting participants from November 1, 2020.
The collaboration will also offer support on current and future research, education, innovations, and workshops in the field of health sciences.
The MoU was signed by Mariët Westermann, NYUAD Vice Chancellor and Majd Abu Zant, Chief Operating Officer at UEMedical; in the presence of Dr. Sadoon Sadoon, UEMedical’s Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Huda Ezzeddin Mustafa, Diabetes & Endocrinology Consultant and Director of Academic Affairs at HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers.
The UAE Healthy Future Study is the first cohort study aimed at understanding the source and cause of the rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease among Emiratis. The study invites all UAE nationals, between the age of 18 and 40, to participate. Currently, the study clinics are located in Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Healthpoint, UAE University, and Latifa Hospital Dubai Blood Donation Center.
Westermann said: “Across the disciplines, NYU Abu Dhabi is investigating and investing in solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including public health concerns, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The UAE Healthy Future Study is mobilizing the scholarly and scientific capabilities of our university along with great local partners such as United Eastern Medical Services towards building a healthier UAE. We are excited at the possibilities afforded by this new partnership and how we might advance our local contributions towards the health sciences.”
Abu Zant commented: “We hope this MoU paves the way to a successful and collaborative partnership that will benefit our community. We are confident that HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center will provide insightful data for the study. The MoU also opens the door for further collaboration with NYUAD in research, education and innovation particularly in the fields of woman and child health, fertility, eye diseases and genomics.”
Abdishakur Abdulle, NYUAD Public Health Research Center Associate Director, commented: “Given the importance of the UAE Healthy Future Study for the nation, we have developed a partnership with various national institutions in both the public and private sectors. [This MoU] marks yet another great milestone which will enable us to work with a key partner in healthcare, namely UEMedical. In part, this collaboration will facilitate accessibility for even more public participation among the nationals of the UAE. It is anticipated that results from this study will also help the development of better prevention and treatment strategies.” 
Participate in the UAE Healthy Future Study
The UAE Healthy Future Study is the first long-term study aimed at understanding and providing substantive evidence for environmental, lifestyle, and genetic determinants of common diseases in the UAE population, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. To register, study volunteers now have the opportunity to participate through an online-based platform instead of physically visiting clinics. For more information, visit: www.UAEHealthyFuture.ae
