Mental Health
-
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the MENA Region
A recently published systematic review and meta-analysis offers the most comprehensive assessment to date of the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the MENA region. This study, synthesizes data from 19 studies published between 2007 and 2025 collectively covering more than 3.7 million participants across countries such as Iran, Oman, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and…
Read More » -
Mental Health Conditions and Self Stigma Among Saudi Male Adults
A recent cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of common mental health conditions—depression, anxiety, and stress—and the extent of self-stigma among 612 Saudi males aged 18 and above, highlighting significant public health challenges in the region. The findings reveal notably high levels of common mental health conditions, with results from the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) indicating that: Depression was…
Read More » -
Expert Guidance on Diagnosing and Managing Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease in the UAE – A Seven-Step Framework
The diagnosis and management of Cognitive Impairment (CI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pose a growing global health challenge. While international guidelines exist, their local implementation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is often limited by unique cultural factors and specific healthcare resource constraints. To address this gap, a task force of UAE neurologists and collaborators was convened to develop evidence-based…
Read More » -
Dementia Crisis Looms in MENA Region as Cases Set to Surge 367% by 2050
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is facing a growing dementia crisis, with cases projected to increase by 367% by 2050—the highest expected rise globally. Despite this alarming trend, research remains fragmented, and healthcare systems are ill-prepared to handle the escalating burden, according to a comprehensive review published in npj recently. Key Findings: Rising Prevalence: Dementia prevalence in…
Read More »
