TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving the Reporting on Health Equity in Observational Research (STROBE-Equity)
T2 - Extension Checklist and Elaboration
AU - Dewidar, Omar
AU - Shamseer, Larissa
AU - Melendez-Torres, G. J.
AU - Akl, Elie A.
AU - Ramke, Jacqueline
AU - Wang, Xiaoqin
AU - Oloyede, Oyekola
AU - Young, Taryn
AU - Nicholls, Stuart G.
AU - Marshall, Zack
AU - Kennedy, Michelle
AU - Hardy, Billie Jo
AU - Rizvi, Anita
AU - Ghogomu, Elizabeth
AU - Rader, Tamara
AU - Waddington, Hugh Sharma
AU - Shea, Beverley
AU - Nkangu, Miriam
AU - Ellingwood, Holly
AU - Wolfenden, Luke
AU - Tufte, Janice
AU - Horsley, Tanya
AU - Pottie, Kevin
AU - Cuervo, Luis Gabriel
AU - Juando-Prats, Clara
AU - Feng, Cindy
AU - Sharp, Melissa K.
AU - Little, Julian
AU - Owusu-Addo, Ebenezer
AU - Francis, Damian
AU - Kredo, Tamara
AU - Mahande, Michael Johnson
AU - Chamberlain, Catherine
AU - Pantoja, Tomás
AU - von Elm, Erik
AU - Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.
AU - Tugwell, Peter
AU - Wiysonge, Charles S.
AU - Funnell, Sarah
AU - Jull, Janet
AU - Mbuagbaw, Lawrence
AU - Welch, Vivian
PY - 2025/9/2
Y1 - 2025/9/2
N2 - Importance: Observational studies can provide valuable insights to inform decisions on health equity. Existing guidelines for reporting such studies, such as the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement, currently lack specific considerations for reporting on health equity. Health equity is defined as the absence of avoidable and unfair differences that may exist across individuals and populations due to structural and systematic inequities in living and working conditions, opportunities, and resources. To address this gap, the research team developed an extension of the STROBE statement (STROBE-Equity) that focuses on reporting health equity data and considerations. Observations: This consensus statement followed steps for developing a consensus- and evidence-based guideline using an integrated knowledge translation approach to ensure engagement of knowledge users from diverse disciplines and perspectives. Selection criteria for the research team and steering committees prioritized diversity across age, gender, and geography. The STROBE checklist was extended to include 10 items specifically aimed at reporting health equity considerations. To develop these items, the research team drew on evidence from empirical studies including a scoping review of the literature, methodological review, key informant interviews, an online survey, and a global consensus meeting of experts. For each of the 10 equity-related items, the statement provides an explanation and example(s) of transparent reporting practices. Conclusions and Relevance: Use of the STROBE-Equity extension alongside the STROBE statement when writing up completed reports of observational studies has the potential to advance the reporting of health equity data and considerations. Improved reporting of this information may help knowledge users better identify and apply evidence relevant to populations experiencing inequities.
AB - Importance: Observational studies can provide valuable insights to inform decisions on health equity. Existing guidelines for reporting such studies, such as the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement, currently lack specific considerations for reporting on health equity. Health equity is defined as the absence of avoidable and unfair differences that may exist across individuals and populations due to structural and systematic inequities in living and working conditions, opportunities, and resources. To address this gap, the research team developed an extension of the STROBE statement (STROBE-Equity) that focuses on reporting health equity data and considerations. Observations: This consensus statement followed steps for developing a consensus- and evidence-based guideline using an integrated knowledge translation approach to ensure engagement of knowledge users from diverse disciplines and perspectives. Selection criteria for the research team and steering committees prioritized diversity across age, gender, and geography. The STROBE checklist was extended to include 10 items specifically aimed at reporting health equity considerations. To develop these items, the research team drew on evidence from empirical studies including a scoping review of the literature, methodological review, key informant interviews, an online survey, and a global consensus meeting of experts. For each of the 10 equity-related items, the statement provides an explanation and example(s) of transparent reporting practices. Conclusions and Relevance: Use of the STROBE-Equity extension alongside the STROBE statement when writing up completed reports of observational studies has the potential to advance the reporting of health equity data and considerations. Improved reporting of this information may help knowledge users better identify and apply evidence relevant to populations experiencing inequities.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105015626959
U2 - 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.32512
DO - 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.32512
M3 - Article
C2 - 40899932
AN - SCOPUS:105015626959
SN - 2574-3805
VL - 8
SP - e2532512
JO - JAMA network open
JF - JAMA network open
IS - 9
ER -