The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD) hosted the inaugural Healthy Longevity Innovation Forum, aimed at advancing longevity science and personalized healthcare. The event attracted a distinguished group of global experts, policymakers, and healthcare leaders, including dignitaries from DoH and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), as well as esteemed members of the IHLAD Board.

This forum served as a crucial platform for exploring cutting-edge research, innovative healthcare solutions, and policy frameworks designed to promote healthier, longer lives in the UAE and beyond. It reinforced the Department’s mission to transform healthcare to meet the needs of a modern aging population.

The forum featured a closed-door research session led by Prof Dr Shahrukh Hashmi, Division Director for Medical Research and Development at DoH. Renowned figures such as Dr Eric Verdin, President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and Professor Andrea Maier, Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Longevity at the National University of Singapore, participated in extensive discussions. They focused on advanced longevity medicine, digital biomarkers, and precision health interventions, setting the groundwork for potential breakthroughs that could significantly improve healthcare outcomes for residents in the emirate and beyond.

Dr Nicole Sirotin, CEO of the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of research for community growth, stating that there is currently a lack of sufficient evidence in diagnostics and therapeutics for healthy longevity. She noted that IHLAD, in partnership with DoH, is committed to fostering high-level collaboration to ethically develop this new specialty.

Her Excellency Dr Fayeza Alyafei, Executive Director of the Healthcare Quality Sector at DoH, highlighted that healthy longevity is a key aspect of the department’s strategic vision for future healthcare in the emirate. She pointed out that the forum facilitated knowledge exchange and resource sharing among stakeholders, which is essential for developing a proactive, prevention-focused model of care.

His Excellency Dr Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director General of ADPHC, remarked that Abu Dhabi is pioneering a personalized, data-driven approach to health. He explained that through digital innovation and advanced genomics, individuals are being empowered with tailored health interventions that adapt over time.

Public sessions at the forum provided insights into the ambitious vision steering this initiative. High-impact panels discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital health in healthy longevity medicine, as well as advancements in measuring biological age and the importance of preventive and precision medicine. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about how to translate these advancements into real benefits for the people of Abu Dhabi and beyond.

A central theme of the forum was the shift from merely treating diseases to actively promoting health and wellbeing throughout the lifespan. The discussions focused on addressing the root causes of age-related decline, aligning with the Healthy Longevity Vision 2030, which aims to contribute positively to the world.

The Healthy Longevity Innovation Forum signifies not just a beginning but an acceleration in Abu Dhabi’s commitment to becoming a global leader in healthy longevity research and innovation. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life and empower individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.