Table 1 Checklist for application of Intersectionality in health interventions and programs

Problem identification

Intersecting Categories

1-Has the combination of different social factors, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, class, migration, been addressed in identifying the causes of the problem? And is not focused solely on a single variable, apart from others?

2-Have target groups been selected based on considering to differences, variations and similarities between relevant groups? As well, based on that, have target groups been identified as the most vulnerable group?

3-In identification of the most vulnerable groups, have the differences and similarities of the subgroups in terms of social factors, been considered?

Multilevel analysis

4-Have the various factors at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and governance levels been addressed in the process of problem identification?

5-Have the intersections of social factors across micro, meso and macro level been considered? For example, among immigrants as a marginalized group, how the interactions at the individual level (age, gender, race, class,...) link to social institutions and broader structures and processes of power such as migration policies?

Power

6-Have the most advantaged and the least advantaged groups been identified within representation of problem?

7-Have stakeholders such as affected populations been participated in problem identification?

8-Have the structures of power such as policies and laws been addressed to be responsible to the framing the health problem?

Reflexivity

9-Do the planning committee/research team look critically at their values, experiences, beliefs and assumptions, about the health problem?

Time & Space

10-Has the process of problem framing over time (historically) or across different places (geographically) and changes of privileges and disadvantages, including intersecting identities and the processes that determine their value over time and place, been considered?

Diverse Knowledge

11-Has the perspective of people who are typically marginalized been used in the process of problem identification?

12-Has the knowledge generated from several recourses including qualitative or quantitative research; empirical or interpretive data; and Indigenous knowledge?

Social Justice & Equity

13-Do current interventions/programs focus on health promotion of vulnerable groups?

14-Are existent interventions/programs being considered in terms of being successful in reducing inequality or, conversely, creating inequality? (For example, are there supportive policies or empowerment programs for vulnerable groups?)

Design & implementation

Intersecting Categories

15-Has the intervention/program been selected based on identifying problem using intersectional perspective?

16-Is the target group representative of the experiences of diverse groups of people for whom the issue under study is relevant?

Multilevel Analysis

17-Have the researchers/health planners considered the transformation across multiple levels (individual and interpersonal, family, Neighborhood, city)?

Power

18-Have various stakeholders, in particular affected population, been engaged in health program design and implementation?

19-Has the intervention/program been framed within the current cultural, political, economic, societal context? And has it reflected the needs of affected populations?

20-Does the intervention/program focus on vulnerable groups?

21-Does the intervention/program lead to a change of power relations? (For example, the participation of target groups in decision making and/or policy making)

22-Is it clear that who are responsible to ensure the implementation of the intervention/program? In other words, are there mechanisms for accountability (organizational commitment, etc.)?

23-Can the intervention/program find a practical position in line with government policy priorities such as budget allocations, ministerial priorities, etc.)?

Reflexivity

24-Do the researchers/health planners have reflexive practice? In other word, Do they have critical thinking about their values, experiences, beliefs, assumptions, and current actions and decisions?

Time & Space

25-Is the intervention/program flexible in terms of time and place conditions?

Diverse Knowledge

26-Have the target group’s knowledge been used in process of health program design and implementation?

27-Has the intervention/program been selected based on diverse evidence (academic sources, gray literature, policy reports,…)?

Social Justice & Equity

28-Has intervention/program been designed and implemented to reduce inequalities?

29-Is there assurance that the intervention/program does not lead to produce further inequities for some populations?

Evaluation

Intersecting Categories

30-Have intersectional factors been measured in the evaluation process?

Multilevel Analysis

31-Have the effects of the intervention/program at individual and interpersonal levels, family, neighborhood, and city, been evaluated?

Power

32-Have affected groups been engaged in the evaluation process?

33-Has the intervention/program enhanced the inclusiveness?

Reflexivity

34-Do the researchers/planners have reflexivity about the values, experiences, beliefs, assumptions, and current actions and decisions related to measuring the effectiveness?

Diverse Knowledge

35-Has stakeholder perspectives, in particular target groups, about whether the intervention or program has been effective or not, been considered?

36-Has the intervention/program been evaluated based on diverse evidence (academic sources, gray literature, policy reports,…)?

Social Justice & Equity

37-Is the measure of success in intervention/program determined on the basis of reducing inequalities?

38-Has intervention/program led to a reduction in inequality?