Military occupational health: a systematic review

e202512088

Authors

  • José Javier Miranda Mayo Programa de Doctorado Tecnología de Doble Uso y Sistemas de Gestión en Seguridad y Defensa (3520). Escuela Internacional de Doctorado (EINDOC). Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT). Cartagena. España. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1407-3118
  • María Magdalena Fernández Valera Departamento de Ciencias Económicas y Jurídicas. Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier. Santiago de la Ribera (Murcia). España. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8083-3795

Keywords:

Occupational health, Military personnel, Interventions, Occupational risks, Mental health

Abstract

BACKGROUND // Occupational health in military settings requires analyzing occupational risks, prevention strategies, and comprehensive care systems. This article presents
a qualitative narrative systematic review that examines the scientific literature on occupational health in armies and navies, addressing the challenges faced by military
personnel and the intervention strategies implemented to improve their well-being.

METHODS // The methodology followed the PRISMA guidelines, graphically representing the process of searching, selecting, and excluding studies through a flow diagram, resulting in a total of 41 articles included in the final sample analyzed. The search strategy was designed according to the SPIDER criteria and was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. VOSviewer was used to construct and visualize bibliometric networks.

RESULTS // Emerging trends in military personnel health care were identified, including mental health, injury prevention, and innovative technologies. The bibliometric analysis showed a concentration of research on mental health, post-traumatic stress, and musculoskeletal injuries, with a growing interest in a more comprehensive approach.

CONCLUSIONS // Based on these findings, implications for policy-making and clinical practice were discussed, highlighting the need for preventive programs tailored to operational profiles, early psychological intervention protocols, periodic assessments of psychosocial risks, and organizational strategies to reduce workload, according to rank, service branch, and operational environment.

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

1.
Miranda Mayo JJ, Fernández Valera MM. Military occupational health: a systematic review: e202512088. Rev Esp Salud Pública [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 30 [cited 2026 Apr. 1];99(1):34 páginas. Available from: https://ojs.sanidad.gob.es/index.php/resp/article/view/1305

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