Protocol for a scoping review of health equity frameworks and models applied in empirical studies of chronic disease prevention and control

This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review of health equity frameworks and models (FM) applied in empirical studies of chronic disease prevention and control. The authors follow a six-stage scoping review methodology: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting studies for inclusion, data extraction, collating and reporting results, and consultation. The review aims to identify and characterize health equity FM used in chronic disease research since 2010 and to explore their application in implementation science. Two phases of screening (title/abstract and full text) are planned, alongside data extraction procedures and quality assurance approaches. Limitations noted include the planned single-reviewer approach at title and abstract screening, exclusion of pre-2010 and non-English articles, and reliance on mostly US-based academic collaborators. The authors intend to disseminate findings via peer-reviewed publications, the Dissemination and Implementation Models webtool, and other channels to inform equity-focused research.