Global trends in research on Semipalatinsk nuclear testing health effects: A bibliometric analysis and short review

At Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (SNTS), nuclear weapons tests lasted from 1949 to 1989, with a total of 468 nuclear weapons explosions (including 117 air and ground tests) being conducted. The aim of our study is to evaluate trends in the field of conducted research on the assessment of the health status of the population of Kazakhstan exposed to radiation as a result of nuclear weapons testing at the STNS, as well as the contribution of various countries, institutions, journals and authors to these studies. Research methods included: formulating research questions; selecting databases to search for the information of interest; collecting information on publications; selecting a program to conduct bibliometric analysis; creating maps according to research questions; analyzing bibliometric data. We used the VOSviewer program. Based on 109 articles, we conducted a comprehensive review of publication activity on the problems of biodosimetry, molecular genetic bases for the implementation of radiation-induced diseases, such as cancer, thyroid pathology, circulatory system diseases, reproductive health pathology, psychological aspects of the health of exposed residents of Kazakhstan. Our bibliometric analysis can serve as a basis for identifying the most important key areas for future research into the health of affected residents of Kazakhstan.