Improving the reporting on health equity in observational research (STROBE-Equity): extension checklist and elaboration

Abstract

Data on health equity to inform societally relevant evidence based decisions and policy making are lacking in the research literature.Observational studies have the potential to provide data on health equity.Yet, guidance on how to report health equity data and considerations in observational research is inadequate.The STROBE-Equity extension addresses this gap by providing a structured set of criteria to enhance the reporting of health equity data and considerations. SUMMARY POINTSReporting of health equity data and considerations in observational research is suboptimal Improved reporting of health equity data and considerations in observational studies may help advance the inclusion of health equity in decision makingThe STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) reporting checklist, the current best practice guideline for reporting observational research, was extended to include 10 equity specific items, using an evidence and consensus based process by a diverse, internationally recognised team Adherence to the STROBE-Equity extension by researchers coupled with endorsement from journals that publish observational studies, has the potential to improve the reporting of health equity data and considerations in observational research the