As part of its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting Dubai’s vision of becoming an active and happy city, Dubai Health Authority launched the "Health & Happiness" Challenge to inspire community members to adopt healthy, active habits. This initiative reflects DHA’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of preventive health and encourage regular physical activity as a path to a healthier, happier society.

The 2023 edition of the challenge ran for 153 days, targeting individuals aged 18 and above. It placed a strong focus on weight loss and lifestyle improvement through the adoption of healthy and active behaviors. To recognize and reward participants' efforts, DHA allocated valuable cash and in-kind prizes, which were awarded to 30 winners (equally distributed between men and women) based on specific health criteria, including:

• Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Improvement in HbA1c (blood sugar levels)
• Weekly step count
• Weekly exercise frequency

The challenge concluded in January 2024 with the announcement of winners during DHA’s participation in Arab Health, positioning the initiative as a leading model for public health promotion and a driving force in making Dubai a more active and vibrant city.

The 2024 edition of the challenge spanned 125 days and targeted two main categories:

• Community Challenge: Included individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
• Private Schools Challenge: Engaged students and staff from private schools across Dubai.

participation in interactive, engaging health activities that aimed to enhance public health, improve quality of life, and promote a culture of happiness and wellness. With over 80,000 participants, the challenge witnessed remarkable engagement in terms of step counts, active minutes, and recorded activities. To celebrate participants’ commitment, DHA awarded cash and in-kind prizes to winners in both community and school categories during a closing event held on January 12, 2025, at Danube Sports World in Dubai.

DHA extends its sincere appreciation to all participants, schools, and partners who contributed to the success of the "Health & Happiness" Challenge. The Authority reaffirms its commitment to continuing this inspiring journey by developing a new and exciting edition of the challenge for 2025 — further embedding a culture of wellness, activity, and joy in Dubai’s community.