Abu Dhabi and Dubai to host mass health awareness screenings

'Your Health Matters' launched throughout the Gulf in April by Sanofi-Aventis in association with the World Health Organization, the Gulf Heart Association and the Emirates Cardiac Society, will offer free medical check-ups for the public this weekend, June 1st and 2nd at Deira City Center and June 8th & 9th at the Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi.

Shoppers at City Center and Marina Mall will be tested for free by doctors and nurses for high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose and increased waist circumference. They will also be educated on the relationship between cardio-metabolic risk factors and cardio-vascular diseases such as stroke and heart disease. 'Your Health Matters' was launched to raise awareness in the UAE on the importance of monitoring your health and educating the public about the most effective ways to control cardio-metabolic risks.

Abdominal obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the Pan Arab region. Based on the results of the International Day for Evaluation of Abdominal Obesity (IDEA) survey, prevalence of obesity in the UAE averages 37% in adults aged thirty years and over. "In recent years, lifestyle related diseases have emerged as serious health problems that affect millions in the Pan-Arab region," said Dr. Oussama Al Khatib (Regional advisor for Non-communicable Diseases WHO. "If left untreated, more often than not, these diseases can result in cardiovascular disease. In this respect, it is our responsibility as doctors to educate our patients about the most effective ways to combat cardio metabolic risks and bring them under control."

Metabolic Syndrome (MS), also known as cardio metabolic risk is a cluster of risk factors, which increase a person's chance of developing cardiovascular disease associated with heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It is characterized by abdominal obesity, abnormal levels of lipids in the blood, high blood pressure, elevated insulin and/or glucose intolerance. Men and women with cardio metabolic risk clusters are at a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

The free check-ups are but one of a number of initiatives by the 'Your Health Matters' campaign to improve the lives of people in the region. Following its launch in April there was a Continuous Medical Education (CME) activity for local doctors across the GCC on cardio-metabolic risks via a live transmission from Harvard University. The free screening wave is the next step in the campaigns efforts to raise awareness. There are also a number of other CME sessions for doctors scheduled for 2007 along with other public initiatives and educational sessions.