Global patterns of disaster-related injuries: A 50-year epidemiological analysis

Objective This research aims to identify the global epidemiological profile of disaster-related injuries over the last 50 years and examine their distribution across natural, technological, and human-caused disasters. Methods A systematic review of literature published between 1970 and 2025 was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. The search strategy included terms related to disasters, injury, trauma, and epidemiological patterns within a PICo (Population, Interest, Context) framework. Results A total of 100 studies reporting quantitative data on casualties and injury typology were included. Findings were synthesized through structured quantitative synthesis of event-level disaster injury data. Descriptive statistics summarized injury burden, while exploratory comparative analyses examined injury patterns across disaster categories. Lacerations and open wounds were the leading cause of morbidity, with a mean of 4346 cases per event, accounting for 45% to 55% of recorded injuries. These were followed by fractures and dislocations, with a mean of 1643 cases per event, and sprains, with a mean of 523 cases per event. Most traumatic injuries were common across high-energy disasters. Exploratory comparative analyses suggested mechanism-specific patterns, with ocular injuries predominating in human-caused disasters, largely due to shrapnel-related trauma, while burns were more characteristic of technological disasters and volcanic events. Conclusion Disaster-related injury burden is highly uneven, with a small number of catastrophic events accounting for a disproportionately large share of victims. Soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries dominate healthcare demand, together comprising 60% to 75% of treated morbidity. Mechanism-specific injury profiles may support efficient disaster health response planning and preparedness of specialized clinical teams.