UAE’s MoHAP taps Behavioural Science Group to make health policy more human

What if better health wasn't just about medicine — but also about understanding why people do what they do? That's the thinking behind a groundbreaking new alliance between the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Behavioural Science Group (BSG) at the Presidential Court's Office of Development Affairs.

This is a bold move to weave behavioural insights — think nudges, smart policy tweaks, and human-centered design — into the very fabric of public health strategy. In the words of H.E. Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary at MoHAP, the partnership represents "a significant development in the Ministry's strategy... supported by scientific understanding of social behaviour."

How does it work?

Here's the meat of it:

• Behavioural science meets public health: MoHAP will tap into the BSG's expertise to understand what drives individual and community behaviour, then apply that to policymaking.
• Evidence-based interventions: Expect fewer blanket campaigns and more targeted, data-driven nudges that actually stick — whether it's to get folks moving more, eating better, or showing up for check-ups.
• Upskilling from the inside out: Ministry staff will undergo training in behavioural techniques — learning to think like scientists, but act like designers.
• AI-powered diagnostics: Smart tech will play a starring role, helping tailor interventions to real-world behaviours in areas like sustainability and preventive healthcare.

Think of it as rewiring the system from the inside — using what we know about human nature to build smarter policies that actually work for people.

Why does it matter?

Because good intentions alone don't shift behaviour. It takes real understanding. That's where behavioural science shines — and where this partnership could change the game.

Dr. Al Olama put it simply: "Incorporating behavioural insights into health policy design is key to promoting preventive lifestyles." It's not about pushing people — it's about making the healthy choice the easy one.

More broadly, this approach aligns with "We the UAE 2031", the national vision to craft a more proactive, resilient, and people-focused government. This isn't just another plan on paper — it's a pivot from reaction to prevention, from top-down to citizen-first.

The context

Globally, behavioural science has moved from academic journals to real-world impact. Countries like the UK, Australia, and Singapore have long embraced it to boost everything from tax compliance to vaccine uptake.

Now, the UAE is stepping firmly into that arena — with its own context and ambitions. Rabie Abu Shakra, Executive Director at the Office of Development Affairs, summed it up nicely: behavioural science "allows for the design of realistic, evidence-based solutions that are tailored to the UAE's unique context."

What makes this partnership stand out is its blend of vision and pragmatism:

• A focus on community wellbeing, not just system efficiency
• A commitment to scientific methods, not gut feelings
• A drive to build capacity inside government, not just hire consultants

This is policymaking with a pulse. And if done right, it could help the UAE become a global benchmark for behavioural health innovation — where public health is not just about treating illness, but about truly understanding people.