Continuum of health equity practice and science: conceptualising health equity research and practice for injury prevention

Background Integrating and advancing health equity are a core tenant of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mission. Comprehensive frameworks that clearly conceptualise equity are needed to prioritise and inform the advancement of health equity within public health. Methods To help meet this need, the investigative team developed The Continuum of Health Equity Practice & Science (The Continuum). The Continuum was developed in two phases: (1) an initial survey distributed to internal CDC Division of Injury Prevention investigators, and (2) a review of public health frameworks and the current health equity evidence base. Results The Continuum is a framework that includes seven key components of health equity and ultimately aims to guide public health practice and research towards the advancement of health equity. To illustrate its usefulness, we provide an example using adolescent suicide for each component of The Continuum and demonstrate how this may inform efforts to advance health equity. Conclusion With a specific focus on conceptualising health equity and addressing systemic inequities, The Continuum may be used to inform efforts to advance equity in injury prevention and beyond.