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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Methodology

Health equity: evidence synthesis and knowledge translation methods

Authors: Vivian A Welch, Mark Petticrew, Jennifer O’Neill, Elizabeth Waters, Rebecca Armstrong, Zulfiqar A Bhutta, Damian Francis, Tracey Perez Koehlmoos, Elizabeth Kristjansson, Tomas Pantoja, Peter Tugwell

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2013

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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Title: Health equity: evidence synthesis and knowledge translation methods
Authors: Vivian A Welch
Mark Petticrew
Jennifer O’Neill
Elizabeth Waters
Rebecca Armstrong
Zulfiqar A Bhutta
Damian Francis
Tracey Perez Koehlmoos
Elizabeth Kristjansson
Tomas Pantoja
Peter Tugwell
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-2-43

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Health equity: evidence synthesis and knowledge translation methods

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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