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Improving Social Justice in COVID-19 Health Research: Interim Guidelines for Reporting Health Equity in Observational Studies

Author

Listed:
  • Alba Antequera

    (Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Daeria O. Lawson

    (Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada)

  • Stephen G. Noorduyn

    (Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada)

  • Omar Dewidar

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada)

  • Marc Avey

    (Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada)

  • Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

    (Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
    Institute for Global Health & Development, The Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Catherine Chamberlain

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
    Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia)

  • Holly Ellingwood

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
    Public Safety, Ottawa, ON K1A 0P8, Canada)

  • Damian Francis

    (Center for Health and Social Issues, School of Health and Human Performance, Georgia College, Milledgville, GA 31061, USA)

  • Sarah Funnell

    (Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3G2, Canada
    Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada)

  • Elizabeth Ghogomu

    (Bruyère Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 5C8, Canada)

  • Regina Greer-Smith

    (Healthcare Research Associates, LLC/The S.T.A.R. Initiative, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA)

  • Tanya Horsley

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
    Research Unit, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1S 5N8, Canada)

  • Clara Juando-Prats

    (Applied Health Research Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
    Dalla School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

  • Janet Jull

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Elizabeth Kristjansson

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

  • Julian Little

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada)

  • Stuart G. Nicholls

    (Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada)

  • Miriam Nkangu

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada)

  • Mark Petticrew

    (Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Gabriel Rada

    (Epistemonikos Foundation, Santiago 7510299, Chile
    UC Evidence Center, Cochrane Chile Associated Center, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago Región Metropolitana, Santiago 8331150, Chile)

  • Anita Rizvi

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Larissa Shamseer

    (Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada)

  • Melissa K. Sharp

    (Health Research Board Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin DO2 H638, Ireland)

  • Janice Tufte

    (Hassanah Consulting, Seattle, WA 98122, USA)

  • Peter Tugwell

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
    Bruyère Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 5C8, Canada
    Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada)

  • Francisca Verdugo-Paiva

    (Epistemonikos Foundation, Santiago 7510299, Chile
    UC Evidence Center, Cochrane Chile Associated Center, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago Región Metropolitana, Santiago 8331150, Chile)

  • Harry Wang

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada)

  • Xiaoqin Wang

    (Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada)

  • Lawrence Mbuagbaw

    (Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Vivian Welch

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
    Bruyère Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 5C8, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the global imperative to address health inequities. Observational studies are a valuable source of evidence for real-world effects and impacts of implementing COVID-19 policies on the redistribution of inequities. We assembled a diverse global multi-disciplinary team to develop interim guidance for improving transparency in reporting health equity in COVID-19 observational studies. We identified 14 areas in the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist that need additional detail to encourage transparent reporting of health equity. We searched for examples of COVID-19 observational studies that analysed and reported health equity analysis across one or more social determinants of health. We engaged with Indigenous stakeholders and others groups experiencing health inequities to co-produce this guidance and to bring an intersectional lens. Taking health equity and social determinants of health into account contributes to the clinical and epidemiological understanding of the disease, identifying specific needs and supporting decision-making processes. Stakeholders are encouraged to consider using this guidance on observational research to help provide evidence to close the inequitable gaps in health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Alba Antequera & Daeria O. Lawson & Stephen G. Noorduyn & Omar Dewidar & Marc Avey & Zulfiqar A. Bhutta & Catherine Chamberlain & Holly Ellingwood & Damian Francis & Sarah Funnell & Elizabeth Ghogomu , 2021. "Improving Social Justice in COVID-19 Health Research: Interim Guidelines for Reporting Health Equity in Observational Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9357-:d:629193
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tara L Upshaw & Chloe Brown & Robert Smith & Melissa Perri & Carolyn Ziegler & Andrew D Pinto, 2021. "Social determinants of COVID-19 incidence and outcomes: A rapid review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, March.
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    3. Morton Ninomiya, Melody E. & Pollock, Nathaniel J., 2017. "Reconciling community-based Indigenous research and academic practices: Knowing principles is not always enough," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 28-36.
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