Studies on the impact of health shocks in (re)shaping forest management institutions exist, albeit fragmented. Similarly, significant knowledge gaps exist regarding conceptualizing health shocks, the mechanisms and outcomes of forest-linked institutional change, and the methods used so far. We review regional variations in conceptualizing forest management institutions and institutional change that are linked to health shocks. Further, we studied the mechanism of institutional change and outcome in the context of health shocks and evaluated the yet-to-be-filled methodological gaps. Using the critical eco-health approach and an institutional analysis framework, we systematically review 70 empirically conducted studies. Descriptive and directed content analysis was employed in the data analysis. First, we found that health shocks are predominantly conceptualized as pandemics in Asia and epidemic in Africa. Forest management institutions are viewed through the process dimension lens, with informal processes more prevalent in Africa and formal processes dominant in other regions. Second, health shocks have primarily induced new formal forest management institutions while eroding informal ones in Asia and Africa. Thirdly, these institutional changes are linked with negative ecological and economic outcomes in the developing subregions, particularly in Asia, followed by Africa and Latin America. Finally, most studies employed the qualitative and single case study approaches, potentially limiting the findings’ generalizability. Our study establishes a gap in understanding the power dynamics and political process of institutional change in the context of health shocks. Future studies should use a multiple-case study approach, mixed methods, and actor-centred analysis of forest management institutional compliance during health shocks.