Public health and rapid modernisation in Kuwait: a cautionary tale

Abstract From the mid-twentieth century Kuwait achieved key advancements in public health, successfully eradicating many infectious diseases that once plagued the country. However, rapid modernisation following the discovery of oil led to an epidemiological transition introducing new health challenges. Like many highly urbanised countries, Kuwait is today experiencing an alarming prevalence in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), notably overweight/obesity, diabetes, cancers, and respiratory conditions. These conditions have arisen concomitant with physical environmental pollution and urban development. Simultaneously, Kuwait faces persistent infectious disease risks, particularly for low-wage migrant workers residing in overcrowded and unsanitary housing, well demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited attention to the creation of contextually appropriate healthful living conditions, distinct from Western urban planning policy norms, and concern for social equity have arguably driven Kuwait’s compromised population health status. This paper offers a historic overview of Kuwait’s urban development to examine how oil production, policy gaps, and the utilisation of externally driven planning models have created physical and built environmental conditions that negatively influence social health gradients and public health.