Research Gaps in Health Risks Associated With Dust Storms in Iran: A Systematic Review Publisher



Hemati F ; Aghababaeian H ; Yazdi F ; Moradi F ; Hadei M ; Bakhtiyari A ; Feyzi R
Source: Health in Emergencies and Disasters Quarterly Published:2025

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to identify research gaps and gather detailed, precise information about the health impacts of dust storms in Iran. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was carried out in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, exploring both Persian and English scientific articles across multiple databases (including Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, WoS, Cochrane, and Google Scholar) up to December 2023. Two researchers independently screened studies based on specific criteria, and paper quality was evaluated using the CASP checklist. Results: Out of 2,006 studies that were initially searched, 7 articles were selected for data extraction after removing duplicates and irrelevant items. In this study, the retrieved articles were published from 2014-2023. The majority of the studies reviewed indicated significant relationships between dust storms and increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Specifically, most studies suggested that the occurrence of dust storms is statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality from daily non-accidental causes, as well as a higher risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular, respiratory, and stroke-related diseases. Conclusion: Despite evidence of health impacts, a notable gap exists in the literature, especially the lack of longitudinal studies and real-time data analyses in vulnerable areas. Urgent research is needed to address these gaps and improve understanding of long-term health risks, focusing on methodologies that incorporate time series analyses to inform public health policies. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.