Reporting social inequalities in health dashboards: data source mapping of 14 European countries

Abstract Background Monitoring health inequalities is an essential public health task. This includes reporting social inequalities using data dashboards to inform citizens and policy-makers. To date, there is a dearth of evidence on the extent of health inequality reporting and which equity dimensions are being reported in European countries. The aim of the study is to systematically map data sources and identify the equity dimensions reported in national and subnational data sources in 14 European countries. Methods Study design is a cross-sectional data source mapping in 14 European countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain). We will conduct a survey among more than 400 collaborators of the EU-funded Joint Action to Prevent NCDs (JAPreventNCD) to identify existing population health dashboards at national and subnational levels. On a second stage, we will carry out a structured content audit to identify inequality dimensions and health indicators in each dashboard. The dashboard content audit will be done in duplicate by native speakers using keyword search and annotated navigation. Inequality dimensions will be categorised using PROGRESS-plus categories. We will pre-register the protocol in OSF prior to data collection and analysis. Data analysis will use a modified version of the template developed by the World Health Organization. Data analyses will be conducted in R. Work is under development but given the resources committed to JAPreventNCD, results will be ready by November 2024. Key messages • Reporting social inequalities using data dashboards to inform citizens and policy-makers is an essential public health task. • Systematic data source mapping can be a reliable, efficient method to monitor the routine reporting of health inequalities.