Digital Health for Vulnerable and Disabled Populations in Natural Disaster and Conflict Settings: A Scoping Review Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 10, 11 and 13
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Background
People affected by conflict, war, and climate-related disasters, particularly those living with disabilities, often face the most significant barriers to accessing essential health services. Despite their heightened vulnerability, healthcare in these settings is frequently fragmented and difficult to access. In recent years, digital health interventions have been increasingly explored as practical tools to bridge these gaps and enhance service delivery in crisis contexts. However, there remains limited clarity on how effectively these interventions serve vulnerable and disabled populations. This scoping review aimed to examine the nature, scope, and reported outcomes of digital health interventions implemented in natural disaster and conflict settings, and to assess how these efforts align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 10, 11, and 13.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, EBSCOhost, and the Cochrane Library for studies published up to May 2025. The search strategy targeted digital health interventions involving vulnerable populations in the context of disasters or armed conflict. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines screening process was done systematically. Guided by the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework, relevant data were extracted that captured study characteristics, population details, type of digital intervention, reported outcomes, and contextual barriers or enablers. The extracted data were then analysed thematically to identify key patterns across studies.
Results
Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a range of designs including narrative reviews, qualitative case studies, a clinical trial, and a scoping review. The interventions covered telemedicine, telerehabilitation, mobile health platforms, virtual mental health therapies, and remote problem-solving treatments. While many studies reported improved healthcare access, continuity of care, or system resilience, few offered detailed outcomes specific to persons with disabilities. Common enablers included public-private partnerships, trained staff, and scalable technologies. Barriers involved infrastructure damage, digital literacy gaps, and weak governance. Most interventions were reactive, with limited evidence of long-term integration or inclusive design.
Conclusions
Digital health interventions have potential to support vulnerable and disabled populations during crises, contributing to SDGs related to health, equity, urban resilience, and climate action. However, inclusion remains uneven, and most studies lack detailed evaluation and long-term sustainability planning.
