Article type
Abstract
Background: There has been a significant rise in the use of racial health equity (RHE) terminology and concepts in public health organizations. Public health organizations play a critical role in disseminating current medical research and health information to the public. These organizations often utilize websites as a primary platform for conveying health information to the public. However, standards for displaying definitions and terminologies on these websites are lacking.
Objective: To conduct a systematic review to analyze and synthesize how racial health equity (RHE) terminology and definitions are described on public health websites.
Methods: Websites of prominent U.S.-based public health organizations were identified and reviewed for RHE terminology and definitions. The definitions, terms, and accompanying citations were extracted from the websites. A findability tool was developed to evaluate the ease of finding the terms and definitions. The findability ratings ranged from "very easy" to "very hard."
Results: We systematically retrieved relevant data (RHE definitions, terms, and citations) from 69 prominent public health organizations’ websites. The evaluation revealed that 31 websites (44.9%) lacked definitions for RHE and related terms. Among the remaining websites, 55.1% included definitions, and among those definitions, 47.3% lacked citations. Most definitions were inconsistent across websites and were rated as “very hard” to find.
Conclusion: Our results show the absence of a systematic, standardized, and structured approach to guide and describe RHE information on public health websites. Specifically, it highlights a gap in the consistency of RHE terms and definitions across prominent public health organizations’ websites. We identified a need for a universally shared and standardized practice for public health websites to display RHE definitions and terminologies.
Relevance to Patients: Public health websites are a significant source of information for patients. A universal standard guiding the presentation of credible information on public health websites would greatly benefit patients and the general public. These recommendations should ensure easy access to and understanding of the information. Best practice guidance for public health websites could enhance their credibility and acceptability among the public and reduce the prevalence of misinformation.
RHE: racial health equity
Objective: To conduct a systematic review to analyze and synthesize how racial health equity (RHE) terminology and definitions are described on public health websites.
Methods: Websites of prominent U.S.-based public health organizations were identified and reviewed for RHE terminology and definitions. The definitions, terms, and accompanying citations were extracted from the websites. A findability tool was developed to evaluate the ease of finding the terms and definitions. The findability ratings ranged from "very easy" to "very hard."
Results: We systematically retrieved relevant data (RHE definitions, terms, and citations) from 69 prominent public health organizations’ websites. The evaluation revealed that 31 websites (44.9%) lacked definitions for RHE and related terms. Among the remaining websites, 55.1% included definitions, and among those definitions, 47.3% lacked citations. Most definitions were inconsistent across websites and were rated as “very hard” to find.
Conclusion: Our results show the absence of a systematic, standardized, and structured approach to guide and describe RHE information on public health websites. Specifically, it highlights a gap in the consistency of RHE terms and definitions across prominent public health organizations’ websites. We identified a need for a universally shared and standardized practice for public health websites to display RHE definitions and terminologies.
Relevance to Patients: Public health websites are a significant source of information for patients. A universal standard guiding the presentation of credible information on public health websites would greatly benefit patients and the general public. These recommendations should ensure easy access to and understanding of the information. Best practice guidance for public health websites could enhance their credibility and acceptability among the public and reduce the prevalence of misinformation.
RHE: racial health equity