Quality Health Information Indicators: A Scoping Review Protocol Advancing the Development and Use of Quality Indicators for the Nature Medicine Commission, Quality Health Information for All

This scoping review systematically examines how quality health information is defined, evaluated, and validated within health communication and public health. The review maps studies assessing multiple dimensions, including source credibility, content accuracy, and accessibility. Following JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search conducted in March 2024 across five databases yielded 8,951 records. After removal of 3,968 duplicates, 4,983 records were screened with final articles screened in June 2025. Title and abstract screening were conducted independently by two co-authors; full-text screening and data extraction followed the same process. Studies were included if they addressed multiple domains and global relevance. Exclusion criteria focused on misinformation-only and clinician-targeted content. Analysis will include quantitative and thematic analysis to identify dominant frameworks, methods, and literature gaps to guide future efforts for equitable access to quality health information.

This protocol is a supported effort as part of the Nature Medicine Commission on Quality Health Information for All, co-chaired by Drs. Scott C. Ratzan, Heidi J. Larson, Carolina Batista, and Lawrence O. Gostin, established to promote equitable access to complete, accurate, timely, and evidence- based health information and to affirm health communication as a distinct discipline. The Commission is led by Dr. Ratzan at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, with a Co-Secretariat based at the College of Communication and Information Sciences, The University of Alabama, where Dr. Ratzan is also a Senior Fellow of Health Communication. The Commission has three Senior Advisors, including Drs. Rebecca K. Ivic, Kenneth H. Rabin, and Paul E. Kalb, who contribute to advancing its research, policy, and health communication strategies.

This scoping review directly supports the Commission’s goals by systematically mapping how quality health information indicators have been defined, assessed, and validated across health communication and public health research. Through synthesizing existing frameworks, evaluation methods, and identifying critical gaps, the review lays the foundation for strengthening global standards and advancing equitable access to trustworthy, reliable and credible health information.