Abu Dhabi health department and WHOOP launch research collaboration on personalised preventive healthcare

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has partnered with wearable technology company WHOOP to study how continuous health monitoring and personalised coaching can help prevent heart and metabolic conditions.

The strategic research collaboration, announced at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, will involve a phased clinical research programme focused on cardiometabolic health. The first study will examine whether continuous health data and coaching can lead to measurable improvements in adults in Abu Dhabi living with obesity and high blood pressure.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and Jonathan Jeffrey, WHOOP’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Chief of Staff to the CEO. The signing took place in the presence of HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH; and Will Ahmed, Founder and CEO of WHOOP.

First study to track health improvements over six months

The first study in the 24-month programme will assess how WHOOP’s continuous health monitoring and coaching affect key health indicators over a six-month period.

These indicators will include weight, waist circumference, heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and sleep. Physicians in Abu Dhabi will support the study’s design and oversight.

WHOOP monitors indicators including sleep, recovery, physical strain, stress and cardiovascular health, providing users with ongoing insights rather than relying on individual measurements.

Subsequent studies will examine how wearable technology can help people reduce risk factors associated with heart and metabolic diseases by supporting behavioural changes alongside medical treatment.

The programme aims to generate real-world evidence on the potential role of wearable devices in preventive and cardiometabolic healthcare.

Abu Dhabi expands prevention-led healthcare

The collaboration supports Abu Dhabi’s strategy of moving towards earlier intervention and personalised prevention, using health data to help people better understand their conditions and make informed decisions.

Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH, said the partnership would explore how data from wearable devices could be translated into practical, personalised guidance to encourage lasting changes in health behaviour.

He added that Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system uses artificial intelligence to turn complex health data into insights that can support individual health management.

Will Ahmed, Founder and CEO of WHOOP, described the agreement as a significant partnership for the company and Abu Dhabi. He said WHOOP had been operating in the UAE since 2016 and that the collaboration would explore how continuous data insights and coaching could be applied to real-world health challenges.

The research will follow applicable data governance requirements, including data minimisation, transparent processing and secure storage, in line with relevant regulations and international best practices.

WHOOP's research experience

WHOOP said its research programme includes large-scale studies using continuous physiological data. In one 12-week analysis involving nearly 12,000 members, consistent users averaged 2.3 additional hours of sleep and 90 more minutes of exercise per week.

The company has also published peer-reviewed research examining health and behavioural outcomes. One study cited by WHOOP found that members taking GLP-1 medications lost 10 per cent of their body weight over 12 weeks, alongside changes in physical activity, resting heart rate and heart rate variability.

Additional research examining patterns associated with clinically meaningful weight loss and long-term blood pressure trends is under review, according to the company.

WHOOP has also expanded its presence in the UAE through regional partnerships and investments, including the launch of its Arabic-language offering and its partnership with the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Future Health Summit focuses on early intervention

The announcement was made at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, held under the theme To Sense Is to Predict. The annual event brings together international experts and partners to explore how earlier insights can support timely interventions and more personalised care.

The summit’s four focus areas are longevity and precision health, digital health and artificial intelligence, health system resilience and sustainability, and investment in life sciences.

The research partnership reflects the wider focus on using technology and health data to identify risks earlier and support preventive care. Its findings are expected to contribute evidence on how wearable technology and personalised coaching may help address cardiometabolic health risks.