Biomaterial Database

Global public health and the United Arab Emirates. 2010

Tar-Ching Aw

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. tcaw@uaeu.ac.ae

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), as a rapidly developing country in the Middle East, is in a good position to contribute to global health. It can share its experience of dealing with public health problems characteristic of a desert environment, and it can learn from the experience of other nations in tackling challenges posed by globalization. The health issues particular to the region include heat stress, the effects of consanguineous marriages on families and society, and exposure to occupational and environmental hazards. As in many other developed countries, the UAE also has public health problems associated with smoking, road traffic accidents, and obesity. The experience of other countries in dealing with infectious diseases has helped the UAE implement preventive measures to cope with infections such as the recent H1N1 pandemic. International collaboration has advantages to the UAE in managing problems pertaining to global public health.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007391	International Cooperation	The interaction of persons or groups of persons representing various nations in the pursuit of a common goal or interest.	Foreign Aid,Treaties,Aid, Foreign,Cooperation, International,Treaty
D006293	Health Promotion	Encouraging consumer behaviors most likely to optimize health potentials (physical and psychosocial) through health information, preventive programs, and access to medical care.	Health Campaigns,Promotion of Health,Wellness Programs,Promotional Items,Campaign, Health,Campaigns, Health,Health Campaign,Health Promotions,Item, Promotional,Items, Promotional,Program, Wellness,Programs, Wellness,Promotion, Health,Promotional Item,Promotions, Health,Wellness Program
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001208	Asia	The largest of the continents. It was known to the Romans more specifically as what we know today as Asia Minor. The name comes from at least two possible sources: from the Assyrian asu (to rise) or from the Sanskrit usa (dawn), both with reference to its being the land of the rising sun, i.e., eastern as opposed to Europe, to the west. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p82 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p34)
D014479	United Arab Emirates	A federation of seven states on the southeast portion of the Arabian peninsula: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain. In 1820 a treaty of peace was concluded between Great Britain and native rulers. During the 19th century the rulers agreed to suppression of the slave trade and restriction of foreign relations to Great Britain. The Trucial Council was established in 1952 and defense treaties with Great Britain terminated. In 1971 an independent six-member federation was formed, with Ras al-Khaimah joining the federation in 1972. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p1250)	Abu Dhabi,Trucial States
D014943	Global Health	A multi- and interdisciplinary field concerned with improving health and achieving equity in health for all people. It transcends national boundaries, promotes cooperation and collaboration within and beyond health science fields, and combines population-based disease prevention with individually-based patient care.	International Health Problems,World Health,International Health,Worldwide Health,Health Problem, International,Health Problems, International,Health, Global,Health, International,Health, World,Health, Worldwide,Healths, International,International Health Problem,International Healths,Problem, International Health,Problems, International Health
D015980	Public Health Practice	The activities and endeavors of the public health services in a community on any level.	Health Practice, Public,Health Practices, Public,Practice, Public Health,Practices, Public Health,Public Health Practices
D016272	Occupational Health	The promotion and maintenance of physical and mental health in the work environment.	Employee Health,Industrial Health,Industrial Hygiene,Occupational Safety,Health, Industrial,Hygiene, Industrial,Safety, Occupational,Health, Employee,Health, Occupational
D019366	Western World	A historical and cultural entity dispersed across the wide geographical area of Europe, as opposed to the East, Asia, and Africa. The term was used by scholars through the late medieval period. Thereafter, with the impact of colonialism and the transmission of cultures, Western World was sometimes expanded to include the Americas. (Dr. James H. Cassedy, NLM History of Medicine Division)