The Imminent Need for the Development of Multi-racial and Ethnic Variables in Data Collection: A Commentary

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Last Modified
  • November 20, 2019
Creator
  • Pritchett, Hallie
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health
Abstract
  • There are currently multiple definitions of race and ethnicity used for various data collection and research models in the United States (U.S.). These are used inconsistently and often contribute to the misclassification of racial and ethnic groups. This misclassification skews demographic and public health data that uses race or ethnicity as a variable or covariate to determine social and biological causes of and trends in health outcomes. Without appropriate and standardized definitions and data collection methods the data will remain inaccurate. With the population in the U.S. trending toward higher numbers of multi-racial and ethnic individuals, the necessity of developing these standardized tools is becoming increasingly important. A literature review was conducted to analyze current definitions, trends in data and data collection, as well as current guidelines in place for the collection of racial and ethnic variables. I recommend a set of standardized recommendations, a multi level ethnic diversity data collection framework, the development of new statistical tools, and the consideration of socio-demographic factors in data collections and analysis. I also identify the role of leadership in transitioning to a standard framework.
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  • In Copyright
Note
  • Paper type: Systematic review
  • Track: Leadership
Advisor
  • Evarts, Lori
Reviewer
  • Li, Chris
Degree
  • Master of Public Health
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2015
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Deposit record
  • 95f26c0c-519f-4c7e-bf87-dad4a5d3d5ff

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