Scaling up action on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (Editorial).

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. They are responsible for approximately 68% of global mortality each year, with cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases being the four main NCD killers. It is estimated that annually, 16 million people die prematurely (before the age of 70) as a result of NCD. The majority of NCD deaths (74%) occur in low- and middle-income countries, where this public health crisis is especially challenging due to severe social and economic conditions already faced.

Eliminating hepatitis from the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Editorial).

As we mark World Hepatitis Day on 28 July, our attention naturally focuses on the relentless battle to eliminate viral hepatitis from populations suffering under the heavy toll of this communicable disease. The theme for World Hepatitis Day this year is "Eliminate Hepatitis". Currently an estimated 325 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection. In 2015 alone, viral hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths, while 1.75 million people were newly infected with hepatitis C. It would appear on the face of it that eliminating hepatitis is an insurmountable task, but substantial attention and resources have been directed to promoting hepatitis prevention and treatment, and with heartening results.

Working together, increasing responsiveness and capacity building (Editorial).

On 24 January 2017, the 140th Session of the WHO Executive Board awarded me the honour of the appointment of Regional Director for the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), following a nomination by the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean. Since then, WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan has been very supportive in giving me the opportunity to visit other Regional Offices under her guidance and direction. For the last five years EMRO has been led by Dr Ala Alwan and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for his efforts in leading EMRO with competence and confidence.

Roadmap 2017-2021: Stronger organization and better response to the needs of Member States in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Editorial).

In October 2016, the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean Region granted me the great honour of being nominated to be the new Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. In January 2017, the WHO Executive Board endorsed the Regional Committee recommendation and confirmed my appointment for a five-year period beginning 1 February 2017.

Novel approach to systematic random sampling in population surveys: Lessons from the United Arab Emirates National Diabetes Study (UAEDIAB).

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes has risen rapidly in the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf Region. However, some prevalence estimates have not fully accounted for large migrant worker populations and have focused on minority indigenous populations. The objectives of the UAE National Diabetes and Lifestyle Study are to: (i) define the prevalence of, and risk factors for, T2DM; (ii) describe the distribution and determinants of T2DM risk factors; (iii) study health knowledge, attitudes, and (iv) identify gene-environment interactions; and (v) develop baseline data for evaluation of future intervention programs. METHODS: Given the high burden of diabetes in the region and the absence of accurate data on non-UAE nationals in the UAE, a representative sample of the non-UAE nationals was essential. We used an innovative methodology in which non-UAE nationals were sampled when attending the mandatory biannual health check that is required for visa renewal. Such an approach could also be used in other countries in the region. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 2719 eligible non-UAE nationals (25.9% Arabs, 70.7% Asian non-Arabs, 1.1% African non-Arabs, and 2.3% Westerners). Most were men < 65 years of age. The response rate was 68%, and the non-response was greater among women than men; 26.9% earned less than UAE Dirham (AED) 24 000 (US$6500) and the most common areas of employment were as managers or professionals, in service and sales, and unskilled occupations. Most (37.4%) had completed high school and 4.1% had a postgraduate degree. CONCLUSION: This novel methodology could provide insights for epidemiological studies in the UAE and other Gulf States, particularly for expatriates.

The malaria transition on the Arabian Peninsula: progress toward a malaria-free region between 1960-2010.

The transmission of malaria across the Arabian Peninsula is governed by the diversity of dominant vectors and extreme aridity. It is likely that where malaria transmission was historically possible it was intense and led to a high disease burden. Here, we review the speed of elimination, approaches taken, define the shrinking map of risk since 1960 and discuss the threats posed to a malaria-free Arabian Peninsula using the archive material, case data and published works. From as early as the 1940s, attempts were made to eliminate malaria on the peninsula but were met with varying degrees of success through to the 1970s; however, these did result in a shrinking of the margins of malaria transmission across the peninsula. Epidemics in the 1990s galvanised national malaria control programmes to reinvigorate control efforts. Before the launch of the recent global ambition for malaria eradication, countries on the Arabian Peninsula launched a collaborative malaria-free initiative in 2005. This initiative led a further shrinking of the malaria risk map and today locally acquired clinical cases of malaria are reported only in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, with the latter contributing to over 98% of the clinical burden.