Review of War-Related Health Data Challenges

Kintuza Lumwako Tebulo

Faculty of Medicine Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

War-related health data challenges continue to undermine the ability of governments, humanitarian actors, and researchers to monitor population health, guide emergency response, and strengthen health systems. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the availability, accessibility, quality, and governance of health data in conflict settings, drawing on examples from Ukraine, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and Haiti. It highlights how conflict-induced disruptions, such as damaged infrastructure, insecurity, population displacement, political instability, and weakened governance, limit the generation and use of reliable health information. Challenges span multiple domains, including incomplete surveillance, fragmented data ecosystems, methodological constraints, ethical concerns, and inconsistent analytical practices. The review further explores innovations such as digital health tools, remote sensing, and integrated data systems that offer new opportunities for improved monitoring in crisis environments. By examining diverse case studies and outlining implications for humanitarian response and health system resilience, the review identifies actionable pathways for strengthening data standardization, coordination, and capacity-building, and ethical data governance. Addressing these challenges is essential for improving the accuracy, timeliness, and utility of health data in conflict-affected settings and for informing effective, evidence-based interventions.

Keywords: Conflict health data, Data availability and quality, Humanitarian health information, Health systems in war, and Methodological and ethical challenges.

CITE AS: Mwende Muthoni D. (2026). Review of War-Related Health Data Challenges. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 11(1):126-130. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJSR/2026/11.1.126130