A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the UAE health ministry and the Sharjah University to implement the scientific study of the diabetes national epidemic study and acknowledge its risk factors association with the disease in the country, WAM has reported. "The study will be done to implement the epidemiological study and measure the prevalence of diabetes and risk factors related to lifestyle in the country," Dr Mahmoud Fikri, executive director of health policies at the ministry said. The results of the study will represent a database and national information about the disease to be compared with previous studies for the purpose of building strategies, plans and programs and fighting the disease, he said.