Exploring The Public Health Consequences of Armed Conflict: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Armed conflicts are catastrophic disasters that significantly impact human health and well-being. Current research on the long-term and indirect health effects of armed conflicts is insufficient, and it often overlooks the unique health requirements of vulnerable populations, such as women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. This systematic review aims to investigate these impacts and identify the distinct health requirements of at-risk groups. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted on studies published in English from 2019 to 2024. We searched databases like Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar using PICO framework. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI appraisal tool. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, highlighting the notable public health consequences of armed conflicts. Among the included publications, 19 were quantitative studies and three were qualitative studies. Six themes categorized these impacts: health effects, disruptions and shortages in healthcare infrastructure and services, disruptions in food security and malnutrition, environmental health effects, humanitarian crises and displacement, and long-term health outcomes and resilience. The synthesis of existing literature highlights the importance of robust mental health support frameworks, enhanced healthcare access, and integrated recovery strategies that consider social, cultural, political, and environmental factors. Future research should focus on including non-English studies, and improving longitudinal data collection to better understand and address the public health impacts of armed conflicts, informing effective policy and practice.