{"title":"Integrated evidence-based medical policy for seafarers: a novel risk stratification framework for high-risk and circumpolar zones.","authors":"Ahmed Hany M Abuelenin, Mohamed A Abouelanin","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2025.2576341","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maritime medical fitness is vital for safety in high-risk and medically isolated environments, yet current international policies remain inconsistent, opaque, and weakly evidence-based. This paper presents the Integrated EBM-Policy Framework (IEPF), a three-tier model integrating systematic clinical evidence appraisal, a maritime-specific risk stratification matrix, and adaptive regulatory feedback. Developed via a mixed-methods study of 112 maritime health professionals across nine jurisdictions, the IEPF increases clarity, defensibility, and international harmonization of fitness-to-embark decisions, especially for cardiovascular and mental health risks. It reduces unnecessary exclusions and strengthens applicability in circumpolar and remote operations, positioning IEPF as a scalable benchmark for global maritime health governance and high-risk occupational policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"84 1","pages":"2576341"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12599345/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2025.2576341","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/11/5 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Maritime medical fitness is vital for safety in high-risk and medically isolated environments, yet current international policies remain inconsistent, opaque, and weakly evidence-based. This paper presents the Integrated EBM-Policy Framework (IEPF), a three-tier model integrating systematic clinical evidence appraisal, a maritime-specific risk stratification matrix, and adaptive regulatory feedback. Developed via a mixed-methods study of 112 maritime health professionals across nine jurisdictions, the IEPF increases clarity, defensibility, and international harmonization of fitness-to-embark decisions, especially for cardiovascular and mental health risks. It reduces unnecessary exclusions and strengthens applicability in circumpolar and remote operations, positioning IEPF as a scalable benchmark for global maritime health governance and high-risk occupational policy.
期刊介绍：
The International Journal of Circumpolar Health is published by Taylor & Francis on behalf of the Circumpolar Health Research Network [CircHNet]. The journal follows the tradition initiated by its predecessor, Arctic Medical Research. The journal specializes in circumpolar health. It provides a forum for many disciplines, including the biomedical sciences, social sciences, and humanities as they relate to human health in high latitude environments. The journal has a particular interest in the health of indigenous peoples. It is a vehicle for dissemination and exchange of knowledge among researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and those they serve.
International Journal of Circumpolar Health welcomes Original Research Articles, Review Articles, Short Communications, Book Reviews, Dissertation Summaries, History and Biography, Clinical Case Reports, Public Health Practice, Conference and Workshop Reports, and Letters to the Editor.
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