Health management in war and post-war crises: A systematic review of global evidence for emerging priorities for applied research. 3 2026; 18 (1) :1001-1015 URL: http://ijwph.daneshafarand.org/article-3-85672-en.html
Aims: Armed conflicts and post-conflict crises severely disrupt health systems, exacerbate health inequities, and undermine service delivery. This study aimed to systematically review global evidence on health management in war and post-conflict settings and to identify emerging priorities for applied research and policy guidance.
Materials & Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies examining health management interventions, strategies, and system-level responses in war and post-conflict contexts were included. Study selection and data extraction were independently conducted by two reviewers. Of the 900 records identified, 87 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Findings: The findings indicate that health management in war and post-conflict crises is structured around nine interrelated domains: health policy and governance; healthcare service delivery; mental health and psychosocial support; health of vulnerable populations; health information systems and digital technologies; health economics and equity; health workforce education and capacity-building; health system resilience and reconstruction; and legal, ethical, and humanitarian frameworks.
Conclusion: Effective health management in war and post-conflict settings requires integrated, adaptive, and evidence-based approaches that address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term system recovery. Strengthening crisis-oriented health governance, investing in resilient service delivery models, prioritizing mental health and vulnerable populations, and leveraging digital health innovations should constitute key priorities for future research and policy action.