Local and regional experts provide key recommendations on mental health, nutrition and physical activity, championing the well-being of the entire community
The conference focused on physical, mental and emotional health and emphasized the importance of instilling healthy lifestyle habits in children from the early stages of their education. We have developed a comprehensive action plan to promote seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors and the broader community.
Sharjah: The 10th “My Health” conference, organized by the Health Promotion Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), drew key recommendations from more than 36 experts in physical and mental health, lifestyle and sports. It ended with. And nutrition. Discussions at the two-day conference culminated in a call for action to increase physical activity and promote balanced nutrition, especially among children. They also called on local institutions to implement health and sports programs to significantly increase the well-being of individuals.
Experts emphasized the need to transform schools into health-promoting environments. They called for comprehensive programs to reduce stress in the workplace and educational institutions. They also called for increased awareness campaigns to significantly increase mental health awareness in the wider community.
The 10th edition, held from October 23 to 24, attracted more than 2,170 participants, including leading academics, students, doctors, employees and professionals, at Al Rajhi Hall, University of Sharjah. The two-day event provided a platform for meaningful and lively discussion on promoting healthier lifestyles within the community.
Addressing critical health issues across society
Commenting on the success of the conference, Iman Rashid Saif, Director of Health Promotion at SCFA, said: The event offered tailored content that strengthens our vision of inclusive and holistic health for everyone, from children to adults, students to workers. ”
He added: “This conference is unique in that it focuses on topics that directly impact our daily lives, in order to raise health awareness, enrich community life and improve its quality. The expert contributions and insightful discussions in this edition strengthened our unwavering commitment to raising health awareness and providing recommendations to improve the quality of life for all community members. ”
Promoting a healthier lifestyle
The conference strongly emphasized the importance of physical activity and balanced nutrition for all members of society. Experts recommended that local institutions implement health-focused sports and nutrition programs, and advocated training of health professionals to prescribe physical activity as a preventive and therapeutic measure. They also suggested introducing laws and policies that support health, such as government incentives for healthy food choices and classification systems that highlight the health benefits of different foods.
Fostering a health-promoting environment
A key recommendation was to adopt the Wazen initiative to create an environment that supports employee health. The experts also called for broader efforts to ensure schools and universities in Sharjah and across the UAE incorporate health-promoting practices. In addition, public campaigns were encouraged to raise awareness about creating age-friendly environments that promote inclusivity and well-being across all demographics.
Initiatives for mental health and digital health
Mental health was another key focus, with recommendations for stress reduction initiatives in the workplace and simplified stress management training in schools. Experts called for widespread mental health awareness campaigns to reduce the risk of mental illness.
On the digital side, the conference proposed steps to improve healthy food options on delivery apps by displaying calorie counts and offering filters to offer healthier options. He also emphasized the need to raise awareness to combat cyberbullying and reduce e-addiction in educational and work environments.
