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Kliethermes SA, Asif IM, Blauwet C, Christensen L, Coleman N, Lavallee ME, Moeller JL, Phillips SF, Rao A, Rizzone KH, Sund S, Tanji JL, Tuakli-Wosornu YA, Stafford CD. Focus areas and methodological characteristics of North American-based health disparity research in sports medicine: a scoping review. Br J Sports Med 2024; 58:164-171. [PMID: 38216322 PMCID: PMC10961938 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Health disparities are widely prevalent; however, little has been done to examine and address their causes and effects in sports and exercise medicine (SEM). We aimed to summarise the focus areas and methodology used for existing North American health disparity research in SEM and to identify gaps in the evidence base. DESIGN Scoping review. DATA SOURCES Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Web of Science Core Collection and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Full-text, peer-reviewed manuscripts of primary research, conducted in North America; published in the year 2000 or after, in English; and focusing on organised sports were included. RESULTS 103 articles met inclusion criteria. Articles were classified into five focus areas: access to and participation in sports (n=45), access to SEM care (n=28), health-related outcomes in SEM (n=24), provider representation in SEM (n=5) and methodology (n=1). Race/ethnicity (n=39), socioeconomic status (n=28) and sex (n=27) were the most studied potential causes of health disparities, whereas sexual orientation (n=5), location (rural/urban/suburban, n=5), education level (n=5), body composition (n=5), gender identity (n=4) and language (n=2) were the least studied. Most articles (n=74) were cross-sectional, conducted on youth (n=55) and originated in the USA (n=90). CONCLUSION Health disparity research relevant to SEM in North America is limited. The overall volume and breadth of research required to identify patterns in a heterogeneous sports landscape, which can then be used to inform positive change, need expansion. Intentional research focused on assessing the intersectionality, causes and consequences of health disparities in SEM is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Kliethermes
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- The American Medical Society For Sports Medicine, Leawood, Kansas, USA
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Family and Community Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Cheri Blauwet
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation; Spaulding Hospital/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Kelley Adaptive Sports Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leslie Christensen
- Department of Library Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nailah Coleman
- Pediatric Primary Care, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Mark E Lavallee
- Department of Orthopedics, UPMC, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James L Moeller
- Orthopaedic Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Shawn F Phillips
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Penn State Health, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ashwin Rao
- Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Katherine H Rizzone
- Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Sund
- The American Medical Society For Sports Medicine, Leawood, Kansas, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Tanji
- Orthopedics, UC Davis Sports Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Yetsa A Tuakli-Wosornu
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Cleo D Stafford
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitations Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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