IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i17p9357-d629193.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/17/9357/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/17/9357/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Filc, D., 2004. "The medical text: between biomedicine and hegemony," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(6), pages 1275-1285, September.
    2. Vivian Welch & Mark Petticrew & Peter Tugwell & David Moher & Jennifer O'Neill & Elizabeth Waters & Howard White & the PRISMA-Equity Bellagio group, 2012. "PRISMA-Equity 2012 Extension: Reporting Guidelines for Systematic Reviews with a Focus on Health Equity," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-7, October.
    3. 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.
    4. Anna Maria Cattelan & Lolita Sasset & Eugenia Di Meco & Silvia Cocchio & Francesco Barbaro & Silvia Cavinato & Samuele Gardin & Giovanni Carretta & Daniele Donato & Andrea Crisanti & Marco Trevenzoli , 2020. "An Integrated Strategy for the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Workers: A Prospective Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-12, August.
    5. 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.
    6. Sibel Eker, 2020. "Validity and usefulness of COVID-19 models," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(1), pages 1-5, December.
    7. Tracey L. O’Sullivan & Karen P. Phillips, 2019. "From SARS to pandemic influenza: the framing of high-risk populations," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 98(1), pages 103-117, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Louise Tanner & Sarah Sowden & Madeleine Still & Katie Thomson & Clare Bambra & Josephine Wildman, 2021. "Which Non-Pharmaceutical Primary Care Interventions Reduce Inequalities in Common Mental Health Disorders? A Protocol for a Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Jennifer Petkovic & Vivian Welch & Peter Tugwell, 2017. "PROTOCOL: Do evidence summaries increase health policy‐makers’ use of evidence from systematic reviews? A systematic review protocol," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18.
    3. Davis Bivens, Nicola & Miller, DeMond Shondell, 2022. "Policy for temporary crisis or sustained structural change in an age of disasters, crises, and pandemics," Studia z Polityki Publicznej / Public Policy Studies, Warsaw School of Economics, vol. 9(3), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Rastko Jovanović & Miloš Davidović & Ivan Lazović & Maja Jovanović & Milena Jovašević-Stojanović, 2021. "Modelling Voluntary General Population Vaccination Strategies during COVID-19 Outbreak: Influence of Disease Prevalence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Patterson, Kaitlin & Sargeant, Jan & Yang, Seungmi & McGuire-Adams, Tricia & Berrang-Ford, Lea & Lwasa, Shuaib & Communities, Batwa & Steele, Vivienne & Harper, Sherilee L., 2022. "Are Indigenous research principles incorporated into maternal health research? A scoping review of the global literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    6. Carolyn Ingram & Vicky Downey & Mark Roe & Yanbing Chen & Mary Archibald & Kadri-Ann Kallas & Jaspal Kumar & Peter Naughton & Cyril Onwuelazu Uteh & Alejandro Rojas-Chaves & Shibu Shrestha & Shiraz Sy, 2021. "COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures in Workplace Settings: A Rapid Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-26, July.
    7. Le Grande, M. & Ski, C.F. & Thompson, D.R. & Scuffham, P. & Kularatna, S. & Jackson, A.C. & Brown, A., 2017. "Social and emotional wellbeing assessment instruments for use with Indigenous Australians: A critical review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 164-173.
    8. Kapil Babu Dahal, 2022. "Engrained with modernity: commodification, medicalisation, and cross-border medical travel for health care in Nepal," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    9. Poekert, Philip E. & Swaffield, Sue & Demir, Ema K. & Wright, Sage A., 2022. "Leadership for Professional Learning towards Educational Equity: A Systematic Literature Review," Working Papers 21/5, Stockholm School of Economics, Center for Educational Leadership and Excellence.
    10. M. O. Oleche & D. K. Manda & R. G. Mutegi & S. Kipruto & M. K. Muriithi & P. Samoei & A. W. Ndirangu & G. Mwabu, 2023. "The gendered impacts of COVID-19 and business closure due to lockdown on wage employment in Kenya," Journal of Economic Policy and Management Issues, JEPMI, vol. 2(2), pages 31-48.
    11. Gagnon-Dufresne, Marie-Catherine & Gautier, Lara & Beaujoin, Camille & Boivin, Pauline & Coulibaly, Abdourahmane & Richard, Zoé & Gomes de Medeiros, Stéphanie & Dutra Da Nóbrega, Raylson Emanuel & de , 2023. "Did the design and planning of testing and contact tracing interventions for COVID-19 consider social inequalities in health? A multiple case study from Brazil, Canada, France & Mali," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    12. Jessica Weinkle, 2022. "An evaluation of North Carolina science advice on COVID-19 pandemic response," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, December.
    13. Rodrigo M. Dias & Íbis A. P. Moraes & Maria T. A. P. Dantas & Deborah C. G. L. Fernani & Anne M. G. G. Fontes & Ana C. Silveira & Viviani Barnabé & Marcelo Fernandes & Patrícia M. Martinelli & Carlos , 2021. "Influence of Chronic Exposure to Exercise on Heart Rate Variability in Children and Adolescents Affected by Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, October.
    14. Davide, Di Fonzo & Alessandra, Fabri & Roberto, Pasetto, 2022. "Distributive justice in environmental health hazards from industrial contamination: A systematic review of national and near-national assessments of social inequalities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    15. Amber Sacre & Clare Bambra & Josephine M. Wildman & Katie Thomson & Sarah Sowden & Adam Todd, 2022. "Socioeconomic Inequalities and Vaccine Uptake: An Umbrella Review Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.
    16. Sarah Syed & Tracey L. O’Sullivan & Karen P. Phillips, 2022. "Extreme Heat and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Scoping Review of the Epidemiological Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-16, February.
    17. Kelly Margaret Bradbury & Elaine Moody & Katie Aubrecht & Meaghan Sim & Melissa Rothfus, 2022. "Equity in Changes to Dementia Care in the Community during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in High Income Countries: A Scoping Review," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-23, February.
    18. Maria Esther Irigoyen-Camacho & Maria Consuelo Velazquez-Alva & Marco Antonio Zepeda-Zepeda & Maria Fernanda Cabrer-Rosales & Irina Lazarevich & Antonio Castaño-Seiquer, 2020. "Effect of Income Level and Perception of Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 on Stay-at-Home Preventive Behavior in a Group of Older Adults in Mexico City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-16, October.
    19. Albert Zeyer, 2022. "Teaching Two-Eyed Seeing in Education for Sustainable Development: Inspirations from the Science|Environment|Health Pedagogy in Pandemic Times," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-12, May.
    20. Hunter Culbong & Ashton Ramirez-Watkins & Shae Anderson & Tiana Culbong & Nikayla Crisp & Glenn Pearson & Ashleigh Lin & Michael Wright, 2023. "“Ngany Kamam, I Speak Truly”: First-Person Accounts of Aboriginal Youth Voices in Mental Health Service Reform," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-14, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9357-:d:629193. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.