UAE National Health Survey: Cholesterol Up, Screening Gaps Wide Open
MOHAP's National Health Survey 2024-2025: high cholesterol up to 54.2%, big gaps in cholesterol, mammogram and colorectal screening. What it means for UAE clinics.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention's National Health Survey 2024–2025, reported on 17 October 2026, shows 54.2% of UAE adults now have high cholesterol, up from 43.7% in 2017–2018. Obesity, smoking and high blood pressure all fell. The survey also found large screening gaps: 23% of adults have never had a cholesterol test, only 36.4% of women aged 40+ have ever had a mammogram, and just 5.6% of adults aged 40+ have had colorectal screening. Lack of awareness is the main barrier, which is a problem clinics can address with clear, rule-compliant advertising.
Last checked: 20 October 2026
What the survey found
Gulf News and the Dubai Standard reported the findings on 17 October 2026. The survey covered 9,997 households and compares results with the 2017–2018 survey.
| Indicator (adults) | 2017–2018 | 2024–2025 |
|---|---|---|
| High cholesterol | 43.7% | 54.2% |
| Elevated fasting blood glucose | 11.8% | 12.5% |
| High blood pressure | 28.8% | 25.9% |
| Obesity | 27.8% | 22.4% |
| Smoking | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Not meeting physical activity levels | 70.8% | 59.1% |
| Three or more major risk factors | 52.5% | 44.5% |
Other figures that matter for clinics:
- 66.7% of adults are overweight, rising with age and highest from 45 upwards.
- Average salt intake is about 10 grams a day, double the WHO maximum.
- Private hospitals accounted for 67.8% of reported outpatient visits, against 31.9% for government hospitals.
- 96.6% of adults said they could get healthcare when they needed it.
The screening gap
The survey's clearest message is that many people have never been checked.
| Check | Who | Never tested or screened |
|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol test | Adults | 23% |
| Blood sugar test | Adults | 18.3% |
| Blood pressure | Adults | 16% |
| Specialist eye exam | Adults | 31% |
| Mammogram | Women 40+ | 63.6% (36.4% ever screened) |
| Colorectal screening | Adults 40+ | 94.4% (5.6% ever screened) |
Cervical screening among women aged 30 to 49 improved, from 14.6% to 24.4%. Colorectal screening was 9.6% among Emiratis and 2.8% among non-Emiratis.
The reasons people gave are useful. For breast screening, 51% cited lack of awareness, followed by fear of a cancer diagnosis. For colorectal screening, the report pointed to limited awareness and a belief that tests are only needed once symptoms appear.
What this means for clinics advertising in the UAE
Most of these gaps are information gaps. People don't book a test they don't know they need. That puts the advantage with clinics, labs and home-care providers that explain clearly who should be tested, what the test involves, how long it takes and what it costs.
Three groups are best placed to act:
- Diagnostic labs and polyclinics: lipid profiles, HbA1c and blood sugar, and full check-up packages. See how to get more diagnostic lab patients.
- Women's health and imaging centres: mammography and cervical screening, where almost two in three women aged 40+ have never had a mammogram.
- Home healthcare providers: at-home blood tests and check-ups for people who won't visit a clinic. See how to get more home healthcare patients.
How to advertise screening without breaking the rules
The survey found fear is a real barrier, and regulators have already ruled out fear as a sales tool. Dubai Health Authority guidelines reported in September 2026 ban fear-based marketing, exaggerated claims such as "100%" or "guaranteed", and content that encourages unnecessary use of health services, as LexisNexis summarised. Google adds its own limits for health ads.
- Lead with information, not alarm. "Most adults over 40 have never had this check. Here's what it involves" works and stays within the rules. Headlines built on frightening statistics don't.
- Target the search, not the person. Google's Health in personalized advertising policy stops health advertisers from using remarketing or customer lists in sensitive health categories. Search ads on test names ("cholesterol test", "mammogram", "full body check-up") are where the demand is.
- Put the price and process on the landing page. Fasting rules, how long results take, whether insurance covers it and the starting price answer the questions that stop people booking.
- Get approvals first. In Dubai, the medical director signs off ads. MOHAP licenses healthcare ads on social media. The full checklist is in how to advertise a clinic in Dubai.
- Measure bookings, not clicks. Screening keywords attract people researching for later. Track calls, WhatsApp and bookings so budget goes to what fills appointments. See Google Ads conversion tracking.
Running screening or check-up campaigns anywhere in the UAE? Ask Access One to review your campaigns and copy.
Frequently asked questions
How many UAE adults have high cholesterol?
54.2%, according to the National Health Survey 2024–2025 reported on 17 October 2026, up from 43.7% in 2017–2018. Average total cholesterol rose from 182.3 to 190.6 mg/dL.
How many women in the UAE have had a mammogram?
Only 36.4% of women aged 40 and above have ever had one. Lack of awareness was the most common reason given, cited by 51%, followed by fear of a cancer diagnosis.
Who ran the survey?
The Ministry of Health and Prevention. It covered 9,997 households and compares results with the 2017–2018 national survey.
Can a clinic use fear in screening ads?
No. DHA guidelines reported in September 2026 ban fear-based marketing and exaggerated claims. Factual ads that explain who should be tested, and why, are allowed.
Can I retarget people who visited my screening page?
Generally not for sensitive health categories. Google's Health in personalized advertising policy restricts remarketing and customer lists for health. Use Search ads on test and screening keywords instead.
Sources
- Gulf News: More than half of UAE adults have high cholesterol (17 October 2026)
- Dubai Standard: More than half of adults in UAE affected by high cholesterol (17 October 2026)
- LexisNexis Middle East: Dubai Health Authority bans exaggerated medical advertising on social media
- MOHAP: License for Healthcare Advertisement on Social Media
- Google Advertising Policies Help: Health in personalized advertising
Published 20 Oct 2026 · Access One
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