We've just published a new paper in PLOS Digital Health: Digital health interventions for women in frontline public service roles: A systematic review of effectiveness in reducing substance use.
Women in frontline public service roles (e.g. first responders and military personnel) are frequently exposed to trauma and occupational stress, which can increase risk of substance use and poorer mental health outcomes. Digital health tools, including mobile apps and web-based interventions, are often positioned as scalable ways to provide support, but it has not been clear how effective these approaches are for women working in frontline roles.
This systematic review synthesised evidence on digital interventions designed to reduce substance use, drawing on studies published between 2007 and 2024. Thirteen papers met inclusion criteria, covering eight distinct web and mobile-based interventions focused on alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances. Most studies reported reductions in alcohol and tobacco use following intervention, but findings were mixed for outcomes such as PTSD symptoms, illicit drug use, and quality of life.
A key message from the review is that the evidence base remains limited by a scarcity of studies focused specifically on women, small and heterogeneous samples, and a strong emphasis on veteran populations. These gaps constrain how confidently we can generalise findings across the wider range of frontline public service occupations. The paper highlights the need for larger, more representative studies and for digital interventions that are designed with women’s experiences and contexts in mind.
The full open-access article is available below