Longevity and precision medicine take the central stage at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week

As the world wakes up to the sharp difference between living longer and living well, the emirate is staking its claim as a global hub for rethinking health and longevity. This April, at the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW), the city's health leaders are rolling out the red carpet for pioneers in medicine, science, tech, and policy. Their mission? Make personalized, precise healthcare the norm, not the exception, and close the troubling gap between how long we live and how long we stay healthy.

As H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, put it plainly: "We are delivering personalised and preventive health solutions that empower people to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives." His words echo the heart of the movement sweeping through the emirate, one that blends data smarts with a deeply human goal — helping more people enjoy not just more years, but better ones.

How will it work?

Let's break it down. The upcoming initiative at ADGHW is poised to become a game-changer for healthcare worldwide. Here's what's on the table:

• A global roadmap for longevity science and precision medicine, backed by hard science and bold policy moves.
• Integration of genomics into everyday healthcare, making treatments as personalised as your morning coffee order.
• AI-powered diagnostics and treatment strategies that can predict diseases before they strike.
• Policy recommendations that make it easier for clinics worldwide to adopt these advanced tools.
• International partnerships to ensure healthcare breakthroughs aren't trapped in labs but make it to hospital rooms everywhere.

Abu Dhabi isn't just dreaming big — they're building the tools, teams, and tech to make it happen. The newly licensed Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD) is a prime example. It's the world's first centre dedicated to healthy longevity medicine, where AI meets bedside care to help manage chronic diseases and fine-tune lifestyle changes.

Why does it matter?

Here's the kicker: people are living longer, but not necessarily better. Global life expectancy has shot up to 71 years, but — and it's a big but — there's a painful gap of nearly 10 years between lifespan and healthspan. That's almost a decade of grappling with chronic illness, reduced mobility, and declining quality of life.

Abu Dhabi is aiming to flip that script. By harnessing AI, genomics, and global collaboration, they want to turn those extra years into thriving, not just surviving. The city's push isn't just about healthcare; it's about reshaping how we think about aging, well-being, and the very concept of what it means to grow old.

"We are inviting the world to co-create the next era of health," Al Mansoori said, highlighting that this mission isn't Abu Dhabi's alone. It's a global call to action.

The context

This isn't coming out of the blue. Abu Dhabi has been laying down the groundwork for years, investing in world-class research institutions, cutting-edge AI, and meaningful international partnerships. ADGHW, running from April 15-17, 2025, is the latest — and most ambitious — step in that journey.

Expect a packed agenda:

• Over 200 speakers sharing sharp insights.
• 15,000 visitors hungry for innovation.
• 1,900 delegates and 150 exhibitors from 90 countries.

The event revolves around four powerhouse themes:

• Longevity and Precision Health
• Health System Resilience & Sustainability
• Digital Health & AI
• Investment in Life Sciences

At its heart, ADGHW is a community without borders. It's where science meets society, where global ideas turn into local action, and where a better, longer life isn't just a dream — it's a shared goal.