Characteristics of interventions that address racism in the United States and opportunities to integrate equity principles: a scoping review

Abstract Background As a driver of racial and health inequities, racism is deeply ingrained in the interconnected systems that affect health and well-being. Currently, no common frame is employed across researchers, interventionists, and funders to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive interventions to address racism. Consequently, there is a need to examine the characteristics of interventions implemented in the United States that address racism across social and structural determinants of health and socio-ecological levels. Additionally, we utilized a Health Equity Action Research (HEART) framework to assess how interventions integrate equity principles. Methods This scoping review examined the characteristics of multi-level interventions that addressed racism and appraised the interventions using a Health Equity Action Research frame. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across nine electronic databases between 24 October 2022 through 15 November 2022. Records were included if they were available in English, discussed or evaluated a multi-level intervention or program conducted in the United States, and discussed or evaluated the intervention or program regarding the health and well-being of racialized and ethnically minoritized groups. Results A total of 13,391 records were identified, of which 91 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Most records reported the racialized group impacted by an intervention, of which the majority were racialized as African American or Black (n = 42) and Hispanic or Latino/a/x (n = 18). Eighty-one (89%) of interventions reported health outcomes and concentrated on the individual level. Most funders reported across the records, and 86 (51%) were a federal agency or department. A further 43 (25%) were private foundations, 12 (7%) were nonprofit organizations, 10 (6%) were private universities, and 4 (2%) were public universities. Regarding alignment with the HEART framework, 14% of interventions reported a mixed-methods approach, 45% reported community engagement, and less than 1% reported researcher self-reflection. Conclusions Most interventions prioritized people who are racialized as Black and report health outcomes. Since intervention designs, objectives, and methodological approaches vary, no standard frame defines racism and health equity. Applying the HEART framework offers a standard approach for interventionists and researchers to examine power, integrate community voice, and self-reflect to advance health equity.