This policy council document addresses the high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in the UAE and its connection to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Despite implementing an Excise Tax on SSBs in 2019, research showed minimal impact on consumption patterns. The council identified challenges including adolescent type 2 diabetes, easy access to SSBs, and limited education on healthy lifestyles. The report presents ten comprehensive policy recommendations: establishing a governing body for healthy lifestyles, developing a strategy linked to SDGs, supporting organizational policies in schools and workplaces, utilizing public health frameworks, using demographic data in policy design, strengthening legislation for taxation and labeling, mandating industry social responsibility, supporting innovative strategies, developing awareness campaigns, and implementing rigorous monitoring systems. The document emphasizes that reducing SSB consumption requires collaboration between public, private, and voluntary sectors across three dimensions: behavior change, interventions, and policy measures to significantly reduce the burden of NCDs and improve quality of life in the UAE.

This policy council proceedings document focuses on enhancing fathers' roles in early diagnostic practices and care for Young Children of Determination (YCOD) in the UAE. The research involved two parts: first, gathering insights from fathers of YCOD through focus groups, and second, collecting perspectives from healthcare professionals and stakeholders. The study revealed several challenges, including financial struggles with high-cost childcare services, difficulties balancing work and parenting responsibilities, and myths about fathers' capabilities in childcare. Key findings highlighted the importance of early intervention, struggles in finding appropriate schools and teachers, and the need for government regulation and transparency. Based on these findings, the report provides detailed policy recommendations, including regulatory supervision, financial assistance, parenting education programs, early intervention resources, and workplace flexibility policies. The document identifies key stakeholders across healthcare, education, community development, and workplace sectors, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, multi-stakeholder collaboration to support fathers and families of YCOD.

Globally, engaging fathers in early diagnosis and care for young children with disabilities remains a challenge, including in the UAE. Despite efforts to support people of determination, cultural norms, workplace policies, and healthcare gaps often limit paternal involvement. Fathers play a critical role in early diagnosis and intervention, which significantly influence the developmental outcomes of children of determination (YCOD).
This policy brief builds on prior research, leveraging policy dialogues and secondary analyses of global and national studies to outline barriers and enablers to paternal engagement. It highlights the UAE’s strides, such as the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination, while identifying areas that remain unaddressed, including the need for targeted father-focused initiatives.
Key recommendations include the development of national guidelines for father engagement, enhancement of parental leave policies, specialized training for professionals, and public awareness campaigns to shift cultural norms around fatherhood. Establishing father support networks and centralized resource hubs is also emphasized to improve accessibility to services and information.
To foster an inclusive environment, governments must lead by implementing multi-sectoral strategies, advocating for father-friendly workplace policies, and ensuring adequate funding for programs that enable paternal involvement. These efforts can enhance developmental outcomes for children, strengthen family bonds, and promote societal inclusion for people of determination in the UAE.

The global workforce is facing unprecedented challenges due to escalating mental health concerns, significantly impacting productivity and retention. As technology and AI rapidly advance, it is crucial to evaluate their role in well-being solutions and measure their collective impact on workforce well-being and business outcomes. This complex issue necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the Dubai Well-being Strategy and global well-being initiatives.

Recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and environmental changes, have triggered a surge in mental health struggles worldwide. The mental well-being of healthcare professionals, in particular, is critical for the health of their patients and the broader community. Alarmingly, studies indicate that health professionals are increasingly vulnerable to poor mental health and burnout, highlighting systemic failures in support. Despite the prevalence of mental health issues in regions like the UAE and New Zealand, 75% of those needing care do not seek help.

The UAE has witnessed a 14% increase in mental health disorders among healthcare professionals since the pandemic, while in New Zealand, the burnout rate for medical doctors stands at 21%. This global crisis demands a concerted effort to enhance psychological safety in workplaces. Anxiety levels, especially among younger generations, have reached unprecedented heights, emphasizing the urgent need for effective psychosocial interventions. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for 15-29-year-olds, with female physicians in this age group facing a 2.2 times higher risk than the general population.

There is growing international recognition of the need to address mental health and well-being issues systematically. By measuring the impact of well-being on professional performance, we can identify and implement solutions to mitigate the effects of mental health challenges in the workplace, improving business performance, client/patient care, and overall organizational well-being.

In conclusion, addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach emphasizing person-centered care, improved accessibility, multi-sectoral collaboration, and increased awareness and resilience-building. This approach necessitates cooperation among various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, government agencies, employers, educational institutions, and community organizations. By implementing evidence-based policies and programs, we can create a more supportive environment that promotes mental health and well-being, allowing individuals to access necessary care and mentally and emotionally thrive.