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A Literature Review on Non-Communicable Diseases among Persons with Disabilities

Manon REINBOLT, Angelina PACE and Bandty ROULAND

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality globally. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are disproportionately affected due to limited mobility, reduced physical activity, barriers to healthcare access, and a higher prevalence of behavioral and metabolic risk factors. Understanding the determinants and distribution of NCDs among PWDs is essential for designing equitable and inclusive health interventionsTo synthesize existing evidence on the determinants, risk factors, and burden of NCDs among persons with disabilities.This review synthesizes existing literature focusing on the epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention strategies related to NCDs among PWDs. Electronic databases including PubMed and CINAHL were searched from inception to 26 January 2025. All non-English articles, reviews, editorials, and letters to the editor were excluded. Key terms such as “disability,” “disabled persons,” “persons with disabilities,” “non-communicable diseases,” “risk factors,” and “handicapped” were combined using appropriate Boolean operators. Titles and abstracts were screened using Rayyan software, followed by full-text review of eligible articles.The review found a consistently higher burden of NCDs among PWDs compared to the general population. Evidence indicates that 10.8% of adults with disabilities have at least one chronic condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, or cancer. Reduced physical activity, higher sedentary behavior, obesity, and structural barriers to accessing preventive and curative care emerged as major contributing factors.The disproportionately high prevalence of NCDs among PWDs highlights an urgent need for disability-inclusive health strategies. Current health programs often fail to accommodate functional limitations, leading to missed opportunities for screening, timely diagnosis, and management. Adaptive physical activity programs, accessible healthcare infrastructure, and targeted health education are critical to mitigating risk.NCDs pose a significant yet preventable burden among persons with disabilities. A multi-dimensional approach—prioritizing accessible health services, adaptive lifestyle interventions, and inclusive public health policies—can help reduce disparities and promote better long-term outcomes.