Public Health Policy, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Food or Substance Control: A Halalan- Tayyiban Perspective

Abstract

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease are among the top public health threats facing the world today. Meanwhile, alarming rate of NCDs, other health and mental problems strongly linked to sugar and tobacco consumptions in Muslim majority countries is on high record. This paper considers this NCDs prevalence in these countries as ironical in view of wholesome, ethical and healthy Halalan-Tayyiban dietary life styles stipulated for Muslims. Hence, it becomes crucial to: review the existing Public Health Policies (PHP) targeted at control of NCDs; further explore the links between food or substance consumption and NCDs; and offer Halalan-Tayyiban perspectives. This paper aims to highlight the existing public health approaches and policies aimed at controlling NCDs and their risk factors; identify the gaps and concerns in these policies; highlight and draw more attentions to alarming rate of NCDs and related public health threats especially in Muslim countries; and offer Halalan-Tayyiban perspectives after a critical review of the concept. As an integrated literature review study, the paper explores relevant literatures and studies on different aspects of the subject. In order to be moderately restrictive, papers and studies written or published between 2010 and 2023 were selected. Relevant keywords were searched in notable online databases like Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholars, Academia.edu etc. Some gaps have been identified in the existing PHP targeted at control of NCDs and its risks factors. These gaps include needs for public health policies to be more comprehensive and culturally relevant, faith-based, populations tailored, and integrated with Social Determinant of Health (SDH) amongst others. Also, to control the alarming rates of NCDs and related risk factors which are ironically identified in Muslim majority countries: this paper explore the two inextricably linked concepts of Halal and Tayyib; and established that their convergences can inform an effective Halalan-Tayyiban based PHP approach. Hence, a Halalan-Tayyiban perspective, approach and recommendations are offered for various stakeholders in public health policies especially in Muslim majority countries.