JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) populations in high-income countries (HICs) continue to experience longstanding health inequities rooted in structural and anti-Black racism embedded in health systems, policies, and institutional practices. From an ecosocial perspective, these inequities reflect the embodiment of intersecting forms of oppression structured through racialized, gendered, and socioeconomic relations. Critical Racial Literacy (CRL) has emerged as a promising framework for recognizing and addressing structural racism in ways that foster critical reflection and support justice-oriented action in health contexts. However, evidence on how CRL is conceptualized and operationalized in health research, policy, and practice concerning ACB communities remains fragmented and limited.

Objective:

This scoping review aims to map how CRL is conceptualized and operationalized in HICs and to examine its potential to advance health equity for ACB populations.

Methods:

This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance. Comprehensive searches will be conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations from inception to March 31, 2026. Peer-reviewed articles and thesis/dissertations will be included, with no restrictions on study design or publication type. At least two independent reviewers will conduct screening, charting, and analysis of the data. A three-phase thematic mapping process, guided by Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, and ecosocial theory, will be used to analyze and interpret the findings.

Results:

Database searches will be conducted from inception through March 31, 2026. Searching, screening, data charting, and analysis will be undertaken between April and July 2026. Manuscript preparation will be completed by July 31, 2026, and dissemination will occur between August and October 2026. The findings will identify key CRL components, applications, strategies, barriers, and equity pathways across clinical, policy, and community contexts.

Conclusions:

This scoping review will provide a comprehensive overview of how CRL is conceptualized and applied in health contexts involving ACB populations in HICs. By clarifying current conceptualizations, applications, and gaps in the literature, the review will identify priorities for future theoretical, methodological, and practice-based development. In doing so, the findings will inform more critically grounded, praxis-oriented, and structurally focused anti-racism efforts across health systems. Results will be disseminated through open-access publications, conference presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities to advance evidence-informed health equity action. Clinical Trial: This review has been registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024623132).