Identifying Common Data Elements to Achieve Injury-related Health Equity Across the Lifespan: A Consensus-Driven...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Data Science

Background:

• Limited availability and poor quality of medical and trauma registry data hinder progress in achieving injury-related health equity across the lifespan.
• Existing data infrastructure presents significant challenges for comprehensive and equitable injury surveillance.
• Addressing data gaps is crucial for understanding and mitigating health disparities in injury outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify essential common data elements (CDE) for collecting equity-focused injury data.
• To establish guiding principles for the research and collection of these CDE.
• To advance the field of injury prevention and control through improved data practices.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase approach was employed, beginning with a Nominal Group Technique (NGT) in-person workgroup.
• A subsequent national web-based Delphi process was conducted to refine and validate findings.
• Participant consensus was achieved through structured group interaction and iterative feedback.

Main Results:

• Ten high-priority, equity-related common data elements (CDE) were identified by 35 national experts.
• Guiding lessons for the effective research and collection of these CDE were established.
• The identified CDE provide a foundation for a more detailed, equity-oriented approach to injury research.

Conclusions:

• The identified equity-related CDE are essential for guiding research towards achieving injury-related health equity.
• Implementing these CDE will enhance the quality and availability of data for injury surveillance and prevention.
• This work provides a roadmap for future research and policy initiatives aimed at reducing injury disparities across the lifespan.