Modifiable Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Kuwait: A Review of Public Adherence, Barriers, and Recommendations

Abstract

Communicable diseases have historically posed significant challenges to public health. While the transmission of infectious pathogens has been contained in most countries, the global health landscape has shifted toward an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The major categories of NCDs—cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes mellitus—account for approximately 41 million deaths annually, representing 74% of global mortality. This growing burden necessitates urgent measures to alleviate the escalating strain on healthcare systems. Accordingly, our narrative review explores modifiable risk factors for NCDs, the adherence of the Kuwaiti population to these risk factors, and barriers to adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Applying predefined keywords and quality appraisal of the evidence, our review identified several modifiable NCD-associated risk factors in Kuwait, including insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, tobacco use, environmental pollutants, excessive body weight, and unhealthy sleep patterns. Plausible sociocultural and environmental barriers in Kuwait to health-promoting behaviors are the Arid climate and over-availability of ultraprocessed food. We recommend adopting a hypo-caloric Mediterranean diet, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining healthy sleep patterns, and avoiding tobacco exposure as pivotal approaches to managing NCD risk in the Kuwaiti population. Even though our review focuses on Kuwait, comparable trends of rising NCD rates and sociocultural and environmental constraints are likely present across other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, suggesting that these recommendations may have regional relevance. Future research and targeted public health initiatives will be essential to promote these lifestyle modifications and address shared challenges across the region.