Roadmap to Improve Metabolic Health for All White Paper Unveiled During Abu Dhabi Global Health Week

• Analysis by McKinsey Health Institute shows that improving metabolic health could significantly improve health outcomes and unlock positive economic impact globally
• The analysis highlights the need for an aspirational vision and the design of a comprehensive program of interventions, which include success factors such as, local leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and strong role modelling
• In Abu Dhabi, preventing obesity is a whole-of-government priority, underscored by the establishment of the Healthy Living Unit – an effort that seeks to become the global reference case for ensuring population-wide metabolic health

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 16 April 2025:  During Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW), the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), established to ensure a public health system that maintains the health of the population in the Emirate, and the McKinsey Health Institute, an enduring institute inside McKinsey & Co. dedicated to adding life to years and years to life, unveiled  analysis exploring  the success factors and lessons learned when implementing metabolic health programs in Abu Dhabi.

The publication presents a data-driven analysis of adult metabolic health and intervention strategies, and offers a roadmap for the global health community to address these interconnected challenges at scale. Its insights include:

• The global scale of obesity – and Abu Dhabi’s approach to advancing metabolic health: Obesity is a growing global issue, affecting more than 40% of the population in some high-income countries, including the US, and rising fast in low-and-middle-income countries. It is deeply interconnected with various factors, and targeting weight alone risks overlooking complex, interconnected drivers. Abu Dhabi is seeking to become the global reference case for tackling metabolic health at scale, and the white paper includes insights into the comprehensive approach pioneered by the Emirate to advance metabolic health.
• The case for improving metabolic health vs preventing obesity only: The paper explores a broader and more systemic approach to advancing metabolic health across multiple indicators. Taking this comprehensive approach may unlock 3.5x more healthy life years than targeting obesity alone. It could also eventually lead to a multi-trillion-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) uplift by 2050.
• The blueprint for setting a metabolic health strategy: Significant population-level impact is possible, and requires setting an aspirational vision and designing a comprehensive program of interventions. The paper explores successful case studies, and charts the key success factors for delivering interventions, including local leadership and long-term commitment, cross-sector collaboration, and strong role modelling.

H.E. Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director-General of ADPHC, said: “This is more than a white paper, it is a global wake-up call. Abu Dhabi is not just responding to a crisis; we are leading a new era in preventive health. By harnessing data-driven insights and fostering cross-sector collaboration, we are building a robust foundation for healthier societies around the world.”