RTI International, the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research organize First Arabian Gulf Public Health Research Conference

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.—  RTI International and the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research are organizing the First Arabian Gulf Public Health Research Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 21-22. 

The conference, titled “Interventions for a Healthier Future,” will review how health issues have affected the Arabian Gulf and examine how cutting-edge, proven health interventions can be tailored to benefit the region. Attendees will include global and regional leaders, scientists, and public sector health practitioners from the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States. 

The Arabian Gulf region is facing critical public health issues, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and smoking. The conference will allow RTI and the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) to partner with health leaders to address public health needs in the region. 

“The Arabian Gulf region suffers from the same public health problems as the U.S. RTI researchers hope to share what they’ve learned with their Arabian Gulf counterparts,” said Tim Gabel, executive vice president of Social, Statistical and Environmental Sciences at RTI. “We want to thank ECSSR for their partnership, and look forward to continue collaboration in helping to solve public health problems in the Arabian Gulf.”

At the conference leading researchers from RTI and across the Arabian Gulf region will discuss public health issues including heart disease and stroke interventions, economics of obesity, effective mass media campaigns in public health, and the burden of chronic diseases in the Arabian Gulf region.

This conference is under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and president of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.

Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, director general of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research will give the opening statement at the event. The event will be inaugurated with a speech from His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, followed by a keynote speech from Wayne Holden, Ph.D., president and CEO of RTI. Gabel will also present a keynote speech.

The event is free and open to the public. Interested attendees can register at registration@ecssr.ae. For additional information please contact Mahmoud Taha at mtaha@rti.org.