Healthcare waste in primary care and hospital services: health impacts, gaps in environmental education and management challenges

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare waste management remains a persistent challenge across primary care and hospital services because failures in segregation, handling, and final disposal expose workers, patients, and surrounding communities to preventable biological and environmental risks. This review aimed to examine the health impacts of healthcare waste, the role of environmental education in risk prevention, and current management challenges, with attention to their relevance for first-contact care settings. Methods: A literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The search covered indexed journals, bibliographic portals, and databases using DeCS/MeSH-based terms combined with the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR”. Twenty-eight original studies published in Spanish and English during the last five years were selected. Development: The reviewed evidence showed that inadequate management of healthcare waste is associated with occupational exposure, infectious risk, environmental contamination, and weak compliance with institutional protocols. Recurring gaps were identified in staff training, risk awareness, segregation practices, and operational supervision. Environmental education emerged as a central component for improving waste handling practices in both hospital and primary care services, where preventive action, safe routines, and community protection are closely connected. Conclusions: Proper healthcare waste management requires sustained training, protocol adherence, and continuous monitoring in all levels of care. In primary care settings, these measures are especially relevant because they strengthen prevention, protect frontline health workers, and reduce environmental and community-related harm.