#Abu Dhabi #United Arab Emirates #Precision Health #Longevity Medicine

A New Era in Healthcare

In a remarkable development that promises to reshape the future of healthcare, the 'Declaration on Longevity and Precision Medicine' was officially unveiled during the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW). This initiative marks a significant step towards transforming healthcare paradigms globally, uniting leaders from health organizations and academic institutions to collaborate on actionable solutions.

H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, the Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), emphasized the initiative’s importance, stating that "healthy populations lead to healthy communities" and noting the economic benefits tied to robust healthcare initiatives. This declaration is a collective effort aimed at leveraging emerging technologies to enhance healthcare delivery, ensuring that the benefits of precision medicine extend to everyone, regardless of geographical boundaries.

Collaborative Vision for Health

The declaration was crafted in partnership with top-tier international health organizations, academic institutions, and industry leaders, establishing a framework to advance precision medicine and longevity science. This initiative is particularly timely given the World Health Organization's projection that by 2050, the global population aged 60 and older will reach an astonishing 2.1 billion, underlining the urgency to address the disparities between healthspan and lifespan.

The precision medicine market is poised for significant growth, expected to leap from $81 billion in 2023 to over $175 billion by 2030. The UAE is positioning itself as a leader in this space, with progressive regulatory frameworks and significant investments paving the way for innovations in longevity. The UAE's longevity market alone is projected to increase from $19 billion in 2020 to $32 billion by 2026.

Key Commitments and Pillars

The declaration articulates bold commitments to advance artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics, personalized therapeutics, and longevity science. It outlines six key pillars aimed at fostering a comprehensive approach to health:

• - Advancing Research and Innovation: Encouraging scientific advancements that contribute to personalized care.
• - Enhancing Collaboration: Building partnerships across sectors for knowledge-sharing and collective problem-solving.
• - Investing in Education and Workforce Development: Preparing a knowledgeable workforce adept in precision medicine.
• - Advocating for Supportive Policies: Promoting regulatory frameworks that facilitate innovation.
• - Upholding Ethics and Responsible Practices: Ensuring ethical considerations are at the forefront of healthcare innovations.
• - Engaging the Public: Raising awareness about longevity research and its societal implications.

A Call to Action

The formalization of this declaration saw participation from noted organizations including M42, Masdar City, PureHealth, and several prestigious universities. PwC Middle East, a strategic partner, underscored the declaration's potential as a global blueprint for the integration of AI and genomics into mainstream healthcare practices.

Lina Shadid, the Health Industries Leader at PwC Middle East, stated that the declaration reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to leading health advancements through investment in research, collaboration, and emerging technologies. This initiative is poised to usher in a new era of precision medicine that prioritizes not just treatment but prevention and enhanced quality of life for global populations.

As governments, health organizations, and relevant stakeholders are invited to sign this declaration, it becomes clear that the future of healthcare rests on collaborative actions, innovative frameworks, and a shared vision for health and well-being.

For more information on this initiative, visit ADGHW's official website. This proclamation represents a foundational step into a brighter, healthier future, addressing the critical issues of longevity and healthcare in an interconnected world.