Charles Leslie of Haleon Spotlights Self-Care, Personalised Wellness, and Tech-Driven Trends Reshaping Consumer Health, with UAE/GCC Focus and the New Pain Management Institute
In a detailed conversation with Gulf Business, Charles Leslie, global business lead for the Pain Portfolio & Systemics at Haleon, maps out the consumer health trends redefining the healthcare landscape. He emphasizes self-care, personalised wellness, and the accelerating role of technology, while outlining Haleon’s initiatives, including the launch of the Haleon Pain Management Institute (HPMI) and Haleon’s strategic emphasis on the UAE and GCC regions to address evolving consumer healthcare needs.
Key consumer health trends shaping the healthcare sector today
The healthcare sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by emerging consumer health patterns that are reshaping how people think about health and wellness. At the forefront of these shifts is a pronounced move toward self-care. Consumers are becoming markedly more proactive about managing their own health, motivated by easier access to information, a growing appreciation for preventive care, and a demand for practical, everyday solutions. This trend manifests prominently in the rising uptake of over-the-counter (OTC) products, which offer convenient, affordable, and readily accessible means to address common health concerns. The empowerment that comes with self-care is changing expectations around when and how medical advice is sought, with a stronger emphasis on early intervention, symptom management, and the ability to maintain daily routines with minimal disruption.
Alongside self-care, there is a discernible shift toward personalised health and wellness. Individuals are seeking solutions that align with their unique lifestyles, preferences, and needs. This movement is being driven increasingly by advances in technology and data analytics, which enable more precise, individualized care and recommendations. Wearables, digital health platforms, and data-driven insights allow for a more nuanced understanding of health trajectories, enabling tailored interventions that fit into varying daily routines and cultural contexts. Haleon’s approach recognises and embraces these consumer expectations by prioritising everyday health through programmes like the Haleon Pain Management Institute (HPMI). The Institute is designed to empower both consumers and healthcare professionals to co-create accessible, effective, and sustainable paths to better health outcomes, reflecting Haleon’s commitment to personalised care across diverse populations.
Technology also plays a central role in transforming consumer healthcare. It empowers individuals to take greater control of their health decisions and enhances the capabilities of healthcare professionals to deliver care. Haleon leverages technology to deepen understanding of consumer needs, drive product innovation, and improve access to everyday health solutions. The pandemic acted as a catalyst, accelerating the adoption of digital tools and changing how the company interacts with patients, caregivers, and clinicians. Digital health initiatives have become essential to providing health solutions that are accessible, reliable, and tailored to individual circumstances. The future trajectory points toward more sophisticated digital platforms, broader data-driven insights, and advances in artificial intelligence, all of which are expected to enhance the ability to provide personalised care and bridge gaps in healthcare access. In Haleon’s view, technology is not a secondary consideration but a core driver of the mission to deliver everyday health to humanity, with the aim of making healthcare more accessible, effective, and sustainable for all.
The overarching implication of these trends is a need for a shift in how healthcare is designed, delivered, and evaluated. A consumer-centric model requires interoperable solutions that can speak to different life stages, health conditions, and cultural realities. The emphasis on prevention, education, and self-management means that healthcare systems must provide reliable information, practical tools, and ongoing support that enable people to maintain health and prevent problems from escalating. Haleon’s strategy aligns with this broader transformation by investing in educational resources, partnerships with healthcare professionals, and programmes that enhance health literacy and practical self-care capabilities. In this light, the company’s initiatives are positioned as enablers of a more proactive and sustainable health landscape, where everyday wellness becomes an attainable and shared responsibility.
The UAE and GCC’s evolving healthcare ecosystems present a fertile ground for these trends to unfold. A region characterised by rapid modernization, a high value placed on preventive care, and a willingness to adopt innovative health solutions stands to benefit from a more robust focus on self-care and personalised wellness. Haleon’s attention to the GCC region reflects a strategic recognition that consumer health behaviours in these markets are shaped by unique demographic profiles, rising chronic disease risk, and a growing demand for accessible health information and resources. In sum, the current consumer health landscape is marked by a proactive push toward self-management, personalised care tailored to individual contexts, and the pervasive integration of technology as both a facilitator and enhancer of everyday health.
The role of technology in transforming consumer healthcare
Technology is a fundamental enabler in the transformation of how people manage health and how health systems respond to evolving needs. Haleon’s use of technology spans multiple dimensions, including enhanced understanding of consumer behaviour, accelerated product innovation, and improved access to everyday health solutions. The post-pandemic era has reinforced the centrality of digital tools, enabling more direct engagement with consumers and healthcare providers. This direct communication has strengthened trust, facilitated timely information sharing, and supported more personalised care pathways.
Digital health initiatives have proven critical to delivering accessible, reliable, and customised health solutions. The future of technology in consumer healthcare will likely involve continued advances in digital platforms, more robust data-driven insights, and expanding capabilities in artificial intelligence. Such developments are anticipated to sharpen the precision of health recommendations, personalise patient journeys, and help close gaps in healthcare access, especially for underserved populations. Haleon views technology as integral to its mission of delivering everyday health to humanity, not merely as an optional add-on. By leveraging digital channels and data-enabled decision making, the company aims to create a future where healthcare is more accessible, effective, and sustainable for all.
Looking ahead, several technology-driven trends are expected to shape consumer health. First, digital platforms will become more sophisticated, offering seamless experiences that integrate information from various health sources, such as clinical data, self-reported symptoms, and wearable metrics. Second, data-driven insights will inform more precise prevention and management strategies, enabling tailored recommendations for nutrition, sleep, exercise, oral health, and pain management. Third, advancements in artificial intelligence will help translate complex data into practical guidance for both patients and clinicians, supporting decision-making, adherence, and ongoing monitoring. Fourth, privacy and ethical considerations will need to keep pace with innovation, ensuring that consumer trust is maintained through responsible data use and transparent governance.
In the context of Haleon’s operations, technology serves as a catalyst for closer engagement with consumers and professionals. It supports better education, more effective communication, and the delivery of evidence-based resources that empower people to take charge of their health. The company’s ongoing focus on everyday health complements broader digital health trends, reinforcing the idea that technology should simplify health tasks, clarify complex information, and enable proactive health management in daily life.
The UAE and GCC regions, with their highly connected populations and rapid digital adoption, are particularly well positioned to benefit from continued technological integration in healthcare. Haleon’s strategy in these markets includes deploying digital tools for health education, patient engagement, and professional training, thereby expanding access to knowledge, improving health literacy, and enabling more informed health decisions. As digital platforms evolve, the potential to personalise care experiences and to scale preventive health initiatives across diverse communities grows—an outcome aligned with Haleon’s mission and its long-term outlook for consumer healthcare.
Pain management: why it’s a critical focus for Haleon and the role of HPMI
Pain is a pervasive and far-reaching health issue that affects quality of life for millions worldwide. Haleon’s proprietary social study, the Haleon Pain Index (HPI) in its fifth edition (HPI 5), has revealed compelling and, in some cases, alarming findings. The data indicate that more than 91% of the world’s population experiences pain in any given year. This high prevalence underscores the significant burden pain places on individuals, caregivers, workplaces, and healthcare systems. Pain is not only a personal experience; it translates into lost productivity, reduced participation in daily activities, and increased healthcare resource utilization. Both chronic and acute pain are among the most common health concerns, with wide-ranging implications for physical well-being, mental health, and social functioning. The impact of pain extends beyond the individual, creating a ripple effect across families, communities, and economies, and it necessitates a comprehensive, systemic approach to management.
Haleon’s philosophy is that addressing pain effectively requires equipping patients and healthcare professionals with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to manage it holistically. This conviction informs the development of solutions that address not only symptoms but also underlying drivers and contributing factors. The foundation of this approach is education, access, and collaboration—three pillars that guide the work of Haleon’s newly established Haleon Pain Management Institute (HPMI). The HPMI represents a pivotal step in the company’s efforts to advance the science of pain through innovative research, strategic partnerships, and customised education programmes. By fostering robust, science-based curricula and disseminating best practices, the Institute seeks to improve patient outcomes and optimise pain management across clinical settings and home care.
The HPMI is designed to empower frontline healthcare providers with advanced skills and a deeper understanding of patient behaviour, thereby enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients living with pain. It aims to translate research findings into practical training modules, decision-support tools, and patient education resources that clinicians can apply in everyday practice. The overarching objective is to contribute to meaningful, measurable improvements in pain management and to support a shift toward more holistic, patient-centered care. This initiative demonstrates Haleon’s enduring commitment to everyday health, translating into real-world impact on how pain is understood, diagnosed, and managed.
The choice to concentrate efforts in pain management through the HPMI reflects Haleon’s recognition of pain as a widespread and multifaceted problem with substantial consequences for individuals and healthcare systems. By investing in pain science, education, and the creation of more effective management tools, Haleon aims to reduce the burden of pain and improve daily living for people across regions and demographics. The Institute embodies a clear, strategic commitment to making a real difference in pain outcomes, while dovetailing with Haleon’s broader mission to deliver everyday health “with humanity.” This integrative approach signals a long-term investment in pain care as a cornerstone of consumer health strategy.
The rationale for selecting the UAE and GCC as a focal point for HPMI and other healthcare initiatives rests on several compelling factors. This region marks the first time Haleon has included a GCC country in the HPI 5 dataset, reflecting a strategic decision to engage with markets that are dynamic, forward-looking, and committed to healthcare innovation. The UAE and the wider GCC region are characterized by a vibrant and evolving healthcare landscape, with ongoing investments in infrastructure, policy development, and patient education. This environment aligns well with Haleon’s mission to improve everyday health through preventative care, health literacy, and access to effective pain management. The region’s emphasis on forward-thinking health systems provides fertile ground for collaborations, pilot programmes, and capacity-building that can yield meaningful improvements in pain care and overall health outcomes.
Specifically, the UAE has established itself as a global hub for healthcare innovation and a pioneer in implementing progressive approaches to healthcare delivery. Its strategic national vision resonates with Haleon’s goal of providing accessible and sustainable healthcare solutions, particularly in pain management, preventative care, and health literacy. Launching global initiatives in the UAE makes strategic sense given the country’s leadership in digital health, policy reform, and a population that is highly engaged with self-care and digital solutions. The GCC’s diverse population and distinct health challenges—such as rising rates of chronic diseases—underscore the importance of initiatives like HPMI in addressing tailored needs and driving improvements that extend beyond local borders to contribute to broader global healthcare advancements.
Haleon’s long-term vision for the future of consumer healthcare centers on empowering people to take control of their health while ensuring that everyday healthcare becomes more accessible, sustainable, and innovative. This vision is anchored in three interconnected priorities: preventative care, health literacy, and personalised solutions that address the unique needs of individuals and communities. A core component of Haleon’s philosophy is global health equity—believing that access to healthcare should be a universal right, not a privilege. In practice, this translates into efforts to bridge gaps in healthcare access by promoting self-care practices and building partnerships with healthcare professionals to extend reach and impact. The aim is to ensure that the benefits of everyday health initiatives are shared widely, reducing disparities and enabling communities around the world to achieve better health outcomes.
Preventative health is increasingly recognized as essential within consumer health. Haleon is addressing this growing demand by emphasising proactive measures that enable people to maintain health, reduce risk, and detect issues early. The company’s portfolio of trusted brands supports preventative care by offering solutions that meet nutritional needs (Centrum) and promote oral health and dental wellness (Sensodyne and Parodontax). Beyond products, Haleon supports initiatives that advance health literacy and empower consumers to make informed decisions. Educational campaigns, pharmacist programmes, and strategic partnerships are central to these efforts. Through these activities, Haleon aims to raise awareness about preventative health, equip individuals with practical knowledge, and enable healthier choices that lessen strain on healthcare systems.
Education about self-care and health management is foundational to Haleon’s strategy. The company takes a regionally tailored approach, prioritising initiatives that address specific health needs and increase overall health literacy. An example includes the “Healthy Saudi Smile” campaign in Saudi Arabia, which focuses on oral health awareness by educating the public on proper brushing techniques, the importance of regular dental check-ups, and the broader link between oral health and general well-being. Additionally, the region has benefited from innovations such as an AI-powered Health Inclusivity Screener, designed to ensure health messages are accessible, culturally relevant, and understandable to the diverse populations of the GCC and broader region. These educational campaigns, pharmacist training programmes, and outreach via social media collectively empower consumers to make informed healthcare decisions. By increasing health literacy, Haleon aims to help people lead healthier lives and reduce the burden on healthcare systems through proactive self-care.
In considering the future of consumer healthcare in emerging markets—particularly in the GCC and wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region—Haleon sees both significant opportunities and notable challenges. The GCC and MENA offer opportunities tied to heightened awareness of preventative health, increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure, and a population that is digitally connected and increasingly receptive to self-care and proactive health management. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are often at the forefront of these trends, setting examples through innovative healthcare policies and a willingness to adopt new technologies. A unique and sometimes surprising observation Haleon notes is a generational divide in pain experience: younger populations may find it more challenging to articulate pain, which highlights the need for age-appropriate pain management strategies and communications. As one of the regions with some of the youngest populations, the GCC/MENA markets present both promises and demands that require careful localization and culturally sensitive approaches. Haleon’s regional initiatives aim to address public health issues such as health literacy and self-care adoption, with the goal of empowering people to take control of their health.
Aligning with the UAE’s healthcare ambitions, Haleon recognizes the UAE as positioning itself as a regional healthcare hub. The country’s 2031 vision underpins a national emphasis on advanced, integrated, and accessible healthcare systems. Haleon views itself as a partner in achieving these objectives by prioritising health literacy—educating consumers through targeted campaigns and collaborating with healthcare professionals to bridge knowledge gaps and support informed decision-making. The UAE’s commitments to digital transformation and innovation open opportunities for Haleon to expand its reach through advanced platforms and digital health tools, while ongoing regulatory evolution and the needs of a growing population require continued collaboration with local stakeholders. Haleon’s involvement aligns with the UAE’s broader aim of delivering accessible, sustainable, and innovative healthcare, reinforcing the company’s presence in the region and contributing to shared progress in global health outcomes.
Ultimately, Haleon’s strategy for the future of consumer healthcare in emerging markets is grounded in a recognition that the GCC and MENA regions offer meaningful potential for sustainable health improvements. The company seeks to blend local relevance with global expertise, applying its experience in pain management, preventative care, and health education to help communities live healthier, more resilient lives. By focusing on health literacy, self-care adoption, and inclusive education that respects cultural differences, Haleon aims to create a scalable model of everyday health that can be adapted to diverse contexts while advancing broader health equity goals. The UAE’s dynamic health landscape, coupled with Haleon’s commitment to sustainable, accessible health solutions, makes the region a strategic anchor for the company’s global health strategy.
Haleon’s vision for the future of consumer healthcare and global health equity alignment
Haleon’s long-term vision for consumer healthcare centres on empowering individuals to take charge of their health while ensuring that everyday healthcare remains accessible, sustainable, and innovative. This approach emphasises a holistic, prevention-first philosophy that seeks to improve health outcomes by prioritising health literacy and personalised solutions that address the distinct needs of individuals and communities. A central thread running through this vision is a commitment to global health equity—the idea that access to quality healthcare should be universal rather than a privilege limited to certain populations or geographies.
To operationalize this vision, Haleon works to bridge gaps in healthcare access by promoting self-care practices and forging partnerships with healthcare professionals. These collaborations ensure that everyday health with humanity benefits people across regions and demographic groups. The emphasis on prevention reflects a shift away from reactive health care toward proactive strategies that can reduce disease burden, lower costs, and improve overall well-being. In this framework, self-care is not merely a personal choice but a public-health imperative that contributes to more sustainable health systems.
Preventative healthcare is increasingly acknowledged as essential within consumer health. Haleon addresses this growing demand by championing proactive steps that help individuals manage their health and maintain well-being. Its brands play significant roles in preventative care by offering products and solutions that support nutritional health (Centrum) and the maintenance of oral health to prevent dental issues (Sensodyne and Parodontax). Beyond product offerings, Haleon supports health literacy initiatives and empowers consumers with knowledge that informs health decisions. Education campaigns, pharmacist programmes, and cross-sector partnerships are integral components of this effort. By providing accessible information, practical tools, and trusted resources, Haleon helps people take control of their health journeys, thereby reducing the strain on healthcare systems and enabling more sustainable health outcomes.
The company’s approach to educating consumers about self-care and health management is central to its mission. In the region, Haleon prioritises initiatives tailored to address local health needs, raise awareness, and foster practical understanding of self-care practices. An illustrative example is the “Healthy Saudi Smile” campaign in Saudi Arabia, which aims to raise oral health awareness by educating the public on proper brushing techniques, the importance of regular dental check-ups, and the link between oral health and overall wellbeing. Additionally, Haleon has deployed an AI-powered Health Inclusivity Screener designed to ensure that health messages are accessible, culturally relevant, and comprehensible to the region’s diverse populations. Through these education campaigns, pharmacist training programmes, and social media outreach, Haleon seeks to empower consumers to make informed healthcare choices. By raising health literacy, Haleon aims to enable healthier lifestyles and create positive community impacts by reducing health misunderstandings and enabling better self-management.
The company’s perspective on the future of consumer healthcare in emerging markets, particularly in the GCC and wider MENA region, balances opportunity with practical challenges. These markets are expected to show notably increased awareness of preventative health and self-care, alongside ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure and digital health adoption. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are often at the forefront of these developments, demonstrating a willingness to implement innovative policies and digital health solutions. Haleon also notes a notable generational dimension to pain experiences, with younger cohorts sometimes finding it harder to articulate pain. This insight points to the need for age-appropriate communication strategies and pain-management approaches that resonate across generations. In this evolving landscape, Haleon’s regional activities focus on improving health literacy, promoting self-care, and ensuring that health messages are accessible and meaningful to younger populations who may have distinct ways of engaging with health information.
The UAE’s journey toward becoming a regional healthcare hub is a critical context for Haleon’s activities in consumer health. The government’s vision for healthcare, including digital transformation, data-driven care, and integrated services, aligns with Haleon’s emphasis on preventative care, health literacy, and accessible solutions. Haleon’s contributions—through targeted health education campaigns, professional training, and partnerships with healthcare providers—are positioned to support the UAE’s objectives to improve public health outcomes and make healthcare more practical and attainable for a broad population base. The company recognises that adapting to evolving regulations, accommodating a growing and diverse population, and maintaining close collaboration with local stakeholders will be essential to sustaining progress in consumer healthcare in the UAE. Haleon remains committed to supporting the country’s healthcare ambitions and contributing to broader, sustainable health outcomes that reflect the UAE’s strategic priorities for health, innovation, and digital governance.
In summary, Haleon’s strategic focus on the GCC and MENA regions, together with its commitment to the HPMI and the broader healthcare mission, reflects a deliberate effort to drive meaningful improvements in pain management, preventative care, health literacy, and access to everyday health solutions. By combining scientific research, education, and technology-enabled care, Haleon aims to deliver on its promise of everyday health for humanity—an ambition that seeks to uplift individuals, empower communities, and support resilient health systems across diverse markets.
Education, awareness, and patient empowerment: practical strategies in the GCC and beyond
Haleon underscores the importance of education and health literacy as a pathway to better health outcomes. Regionally, the company implements targeted campaigns and pharmacist training programmes designed to empower consumers to make informed decisions about their health. These initiatives are complemented by a diversified communications approach, including social media outreach and community-based education, to extend reach and impact. The introduction of tools such as AI-powered health inclusivity screeners helps ensure that messages resonate across cultural and linguistic contexts, reinforcing the commitment to accessibility and comprehension as foundations for effective self-care.
Education efforts are not only informational; they are designed to drive practical action. Campaigns teach specific behaviours (for example, brushing techniques and oral hygiene practices) and connect knowledge to everyday health decisions. In parallel, partnerships with healthcare professionals create a collaborative ecosystem in which evidence-based guidance, patient education, and real-world insights can be shared and applied. This holistic approach is intended to translate into tangible improvements in health literacy, self-care adoption, and ultimately patient outcomes.
The GCC and broader MENA region present unique opportunities to deploy these strategies at scale. The combination of high literacy growth, robust digital adoption, and strong consumer demand for effective health tools creates a receptive environment for education-led health improvement. Haleon’s focus on regionally tailored, culturally sensitive messaging ensures that health information is relevant and actionable for diverse populations. By embedding education within a broader health strategy—one that integrates product solutions, professional training, and patient support—Haleon aims to drive sustained behavioural change that supports prevention and self-care across communities.
The future of consumer healthcare in emerging markets: opportunities and challenges in the GCC and wider MENA region
Haleon views the GCC and MENA regions as pivotal to the future of consumer healthcare, presenting a blend of substantial opportunities and distinct challenges. The opportunities are anchored in several structural and social factors. First, there is growing awareness and acceptance of preventive health measures, creating demand for products, services, and information that support early intervention and ongoing wellness. Second, governments and private sector stakeholders are investing in healthcare infrastructure and digital health ecosystems, increasing access to care and enabling more sophisticated health management capabilities. Third, there is a digitally connected population that is increasingly comfortable with self-directed health management, which aligns with Haleon’s strategy to empower individuals through education, products, and digital tools. Fourth, the GCC region’s relatively young and dynamic demographics create a unique window for shaping health behaviours early in life, potentially yielding long-term benefits for population health.
In the UAE and broader GCC, Haleon sees notable progress in policy development and the deployment of innovative health solutions. The region’s leadership in digital health, data governance, and patient engagement provides a conducive environment for expanding preventative care, health literacy initiatives, and pain management education. Haleon’s emphasis on region-specific health literacy and self-care adoption supports these objectives, enabling individuals to take an active role in managing their health. The UAE’s commitment to becoming a regional health hub, including its emphasis on integrated care, telehealth, and digital transformation, dovetails with Haleon’s objective to deliver accessible, sustainable, and high-quality health solutions through education, partnerships, and product innovation.
However, the GCC and MENA present challenges that require careful navigation. Local needs can vary significantly across countries and communities, necessitating culturally appropriate communication and tailored interventions. Language, literacy levels, and socio-economic variation require diverse strategies to ensure messages are accessible and relevant. Additionally, regulatory frameworks, data privacy considerations, and evolving healthcare policies require ongoing alignment and collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders. Regional disparities in healthcare access and outcomes also require a deliberate focus on equity, ensuring that the benefits of self-care, prevention, and digital health reach underserved populations as well as those in urban centres.
To meet these opportunities and overcome challenges, Haleon emphasizes a locally grounded approach that leverages global expertise. This involves deploying regionally tailored health literacy campaigns, expanding education programmes for pharmacists and clinicians, and ensuring that digital health tools align with local regulations and patient needs. It also means investing in partnerships with local healthcare providers, academic institutions, and patient groups to co-create solutions that are culturally sensitive and practically effective. By focusing on education, access, and equity, Haleon seeks to contribute to a more resilient and inclusive health landscape in the GCC and MENA regions, where everyday health initiatives can be scaled to improve quality of life and health outcomes.
The UAE as a strategic hub: Haleon’s contribution to the country’s healthcare vision
The UAE’s strategic positioning as a regional healthcare hub is central to Haleon’s regional strategy. The country’s long-term vision for health, encapsulated in their national plans and initiatives, places emphasis on advanced, integrated, and accessible healthcare systems. Haleon’s activities align with this vision by prioritising health literacy, education campaigns, and partnerships that empower consumers and clinicians to make informed health decisions. The goal is to bridge gaps in awareness and knowledge, enabling individuals to take proactive steps in managing their health and reducing unnecessary healthcare burdens.
Digital transformation is a defining feature of the UAE’s healthcare development, creating opportunities for Haleon to expand its reach through modern platforms and tools. The region’s regulatory environment, coupled with a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse population, presents a dynamic backdrop for Haleon’s health education and preventative care initiatives. Ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders—health authorities, clinical practitioners, pharmacists, and patient groups—will be essential to ensure that Haleon’s programmes are relevant, effective, and aligned with national health priorities. Through these collaborations, Haleon aims to support the UAE’s healthcare objectives and contribute to a future in which accessible, sustainable, and innovative care becomes a standard expectation for all residents.
In this context, Haleon’s work in the UAE is designed to complement national efforts while also advancing its own mission of everyday health with humanity. By focusing on health literacy, preventative care, and collaborative education with healthcare professionals, Haleon seeks to empower individuals to actively participate in their health journeys. The UAE’s progressive stance on digital health, population health management, and integrated care presents a fertile environment for shaping patient-centered care and scalable health solutions that can influence broader regional and global health outcomes. Haleon’s ongoing presence in the UAE reflects a strategic commitment to contributing to the country’s healthcare goals and helping to realise a more inclusive, informed, and proactive health ecosystem.
Conclusion
The interview with Charles Leslie highlights a clear, forward-looking trajectory for Haleon and its role in shaping the future of consumer health. The central threads—self-care, personalised wellness, and the expanding role of technology—are not merely trends but foundational shifts redefining how health is understood, managed, and advanced. Haleon’s response—through initiatives like the Haleon Pain Management Institute, a strong emphasis on the UAE and GCC markets, and a strategic blend of education, partnerships, and product innovation—reflects a comprehensive effort to align with evolving consumer needs while advancing global health equity.
Pain management emerges as a critical focal point, underpinned by the compelling data from HPI 5 revealing that a vast majority of the global population experiences pain annually. Addressing pain comprehensively requires education, access to tools and resources, and a collaborative approach that brings together patients, clinicians, and caregivers. The HPMI represents a meaningful step in translating science into practical education and improved patient outcomes, reinforcing Haleon’s commitment to everyday health with humanity.
The UAE and GCC region occupy a strategic place in Haleon’s global approach, serving as a testing ground and a catalyst for regional health improvements that can inform broader global practice. By focusing on health literacy, preventative care, and culturally resonant health messaging, Haleon aims to empower people across diverse communities to take charge of their health, while building sustainable partnerships and scalable solutions that support long-term health outcomes. The UAE’s vision to become a regional health hub, supported by digital transformation and forward-thinking health policy, provides an enabling environment for Haleon to contribute meaningfully to national healthcare priorities and to share best practices with the wider world.
In sum, Haleon’s strategy embodies a holistic approach to consumer health—where self-care, personalised wellness, and technology converge; where pain management receives focused attention to improve daily living and reduce system burden; and where regional leadership in the UAE and GCC acts as a catalyst for broader health equity and universal access to everyday health. The company’s ongoing investments in education, partnerships, and digital health capabilities are designed to create a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative health future that benefits individuals, communities, and health systems around the world. This is the quiet yet powerful narrative driving Haleon’s work today and shaping the path for tomorrow’s consumer healthcare landscape.