Browsing by Author "Francis, Damian"

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    Health equity: evidence synthesis and knowledge translation methods
    (2013) Pantoja Calderón, Tomás; Welch, Vivian A.; Petticrew, Mark; O’Neill, Jennifer; Waters, Elizabeth; Armstrong, Rebecca; Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.; Francis, Damian; Koehlmoos, Tracey P.; Kristjansson, Elizabeth
    Abstract Background At the Rio Summit in 2011 on Social Determinants of Health, the global community recognized a pressing need to take action on reducing health inequities. This requires an improved evidence base on the effects of national and international policies on health inequities. Although systematic reviews are recognized as an important source for evidence-informed policy, they have been criticized for failing to assess effects on health equity. Methods This article summarizes guidance on both conducting systematic reviews with a focus on health equity and on methods to translate their findings to different audiences. This guidance was developed based on a series of methodology meetings, previous guidance, a recently developed reporting guideline for equity-focused systematic reviews (PRISMA-Equity 2012) and a systematic review of methods to assess health equity in systematic reviews. Results We make ten recommendations for conducting equity-focused systematic reviews; and five considerations for knowledge translation. Illustrative examples of equity-focused reviews are provided where these methods have been used. Conclusions Implementation of the recommendations in this article is one step toward monitoring the impact of national and international policies and programs on health equity, as recommended by the 2011 World Conference on Social Determinants of Health.Abstract Background At the Rio Summit in 2011 on Social Determinants of Health, the global community recognized a pressing need to take action on reducing health inequities. This requires an improved evidence base on the effects of national and international policies on health inequities. Although systematic reviews are recognized as an important source for evidence-informed policy, they have been criticized for failing to assess effects on health equity. Methods This article summarizes guidance on both conducting systematic reviews with a focus on health equity and on methods to translate their findings to different audiences. This guidance was developed based on a series of methodology meetings, previous guidance, a recently developed reporting guideline for equity-focused systematic reviews (PRISMA-Equity 2012) and a systematic review of methods to assess health equity in systematic reviews. Results We make ten recommendations for conducting equity-focused systematic reviews; and five considerations for knowledge translation. Illustrative examples of equity-focused reviews are provided where these methods have been used. Conclusions Implementation of the recommendations in this article is one step toward monitoring the impact of national and international policies and programs on health equity, as recommended by the 2011 World Conference on Social Determinants of Health.
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    Improving Social Justice in COVID-19 Health Research: Interim Guidelines for Reporting Health Equity in Observational Studies
    (2021) Antequera, Alba; Lawson, Daeria O.; Noorduyn, Stephen G.; Dewidar, Omar; Avey, Marc; Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.; Chamberlain, Catherine; Ellingwood, Holly; Francis, Damian; Funnell, Sarah; Ghogomu, Elizabeth; Greer-Smith, Regina; Horsley, Tanya; Juando-Prats, Clara; Jull, Janet; Kristjansson, Elizabeth; Little, Julian; Nicholls, Stuart G.; Nkangu, Miriam; Petticrew, Mark; Rada, Gabriel; Rizvi, Anita; Shamseer, Larissa; Sharp, Melissa K.; Tufte, Janice; Tugwell, Peter; Verdugo-Paiva, Francisca; Wang, Harry; Wang, Xiaoqin; Mbuagbaw, Lawrence; Welch, Vivian
    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.
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    Improving social justice in observational studies: protocol for the development of a global and Indigenous STROBE-equity reporting guideline
    (2023) Funnell, Sarah; Jull, Janet; Mbuagbaw, Lawrence; Welch, Vivian; Dewidar, Omar; Wang, Xiaoqin; Lesperance, Miranda; Ghogomu, Elizabeth; Rizvi, Anita; Akl, Elie A.; Avey, Marc T.; Antequera, Alba; Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.; Chamberlain, Catherine; Craig, Peter; Cuervo, Luis G.; Dicko, Alassane; Ellingwood, Holly; Feng, Cindy; Francis, Damian; Greer-Smith, Regina; Hardy, Billie-Jo; Harwood, Matire; Hatcher-Roberts, Janet; Horsley, Tanya; Juando-Prats, Clara; Kasonde, Mwenya; Kennedy, Michelle; Kredo, Tamara; Krentel, Alison; Kristjansson, Elizabeth; Langer, Laurenz; Little, Julian; Loder, Elizabeth; Magwood, Olivia; Mahande, Michael J.; Melendez-Torres, G. J.; Moore, Ainsley; Niba, Loveline L.; Nicholls, Stuart G.; Nkangu, Miriam N.; Lawson, Daeria O.; Obuku, Ekwaro; Okwen, Patrick; Pantoja Calderón, Tomás; Petkovic, Jennifer; Petticrew, Mark; Pottie, Kevin; Rader, Tamara; Ramke, Jacqueline; Riddle, Alison; Shamseer, Larissa; Sharp, Melissa; Shea, Bev; Tanuseputro, Peter; Tugwell, Peter; Tufte, Janice; Von Elm, Erik; Waddington, Hugh S.; Wang, Harry; Weeks, Laura; Wells, George; White, Howard; Wiysonge, Charles S.; Wolfenden, Luke; Young, Taryn
    Background Addressing persistent and pervasive health inequities is a global moral imperative, which has been highlighted and magnified by the societal and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Observational studies can aid our understanding of the impact of health and structural oppression based on the intersection of gender, race, ethnicity, age and other factors, as they frequently collect this data. However, the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline, does not provide guidance related to reporting of health equity. The goal of this project is to develop a STROBE-Equity reporting guideline extension. Methods We assembled a diverse team across multiple domains, including gender, age, ethnicity, Indigenous background, disciplines, geographies, lived experience of health inequity and decision-making organizations. Using an inclusive, integrated knowledge translation approach, we will implement a five-phase plan which will include: (1) assessing the reporting of health equity in published observational studies, (2) seeking wide international feedback on items to improve reporting of health equity, (3) establishing consensus amongst knowledge users and researchers, (4) evaluating in partnership with Indigenous contributors the relevance to Indigenous peoples who have globally experienced the oppressive legacy of colonization, and (5) widely disseminating and seeking endorsement from relevant knowledge users. We will seek input from external collaborators using social media, mailing lists and other communication channels. Discussion Achieving global imperatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., SDG 10 Reduced inequalities, SDG 3 Good health and wellbeing) requires advancing health equity in research. The implementation of the STROBE-Equity guidelines will enable a better awareness and understanding of health inequities through better reporting. We will broadly disseminate the reporting guideline with tools to enable adoption and use by journal editors, authors, and funding agencies, using diverse strategies tailored to specific audiences.