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Sohrabizadeh S, Bahramzadeh A. A Comparative Review of Disaster Risk Reduction Measures Related to the Health Systems in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. Health in Emergencies and Disasters Quarterly 2025; 11 (1) :21-32
URL: http://hdq.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-658-en.html

Background: Iran and its neighboring countries, such as Afghanistan and Iraq are located in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO), suffering from the different consequences of disasters. The present review aimed to identify and compare the disaster risk reduction (DRR) and prevention strategies, plans, and policies conducted in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan in terms of health system functions due to the importance of DRR measures in preventing future disasters. 
Materials and Methods: The current comparative scoping review was performed using the PRISMA 2020 statement. The PubMed database was applied for searching the literature using the keywords, including disaster risk reduction, plan, strategy, policy, Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Study selection was performed by the researchers, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 
Results: A total of 13 references were selected for the final analysis. All-hazard approach was the most common approach in DRR studies in all three settings. Out of all the included papers, one article reported the necessity of resilience and mitigation for disaster health management in Iraq. Two papers addressed the mitigation and DRR measures in the form of planning and policies in Afghanistan, and 10 articles reported the prevention and mitigation issues in Iran.
Conclusion: DRR measures need to be inserted into all phases of disaster management plans developed for health systems in EMRO countries facing natural and technological hazards and high levels of vulnerabilities. Establishing a network or platform, joint research projects, long- and short-term educational programs, and community-based DRR management are highly suggested.