To systematically evaluate definitions of "racial health equity" and related terms within health-related academic literature. We systematically evaluated definitions of racial health equity and related terms within health-related academic articles. Articles published in English were included, and no date restrictions were imposed. We found 20 original articles containing relevant definitions out of 1816 retrieved articles, thirteen of which were published from 2020-2023. Themes used in the definitions varied, with racism (n= 12) and quality of healthcare (n= 10) being the most common. Additional themes, including social hierarchy or marginalization, discrimination, justice, unmet social needs, and historical events were used by some definitions. Eleven of the included manuscripts defined race as a social construct. This study depicts racial health equity as an emerging concept with limited consensus on racism, quality of health, and social determinants of health as important underlying frameworks. To center equity efforts and actions under a workable and shared vision, we recommend continued discussions regarding underlying meanings of racial health equity concepts and propose establishing a definition that promotes unity across health fields and prevents ambiguity.
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