Classification of race and ethnicity: implications for public health

Abstract

Emerging methods in the measurement of race and ethnicity have important implications for the field of public health. Traditionally, information on race and/or ethnicity has been integral to our understanding of the health issues affecting the U.S. population. We review some of the complexities created by new classification approaches made possible by the inclusion of multiple-race assessment in the U.S. Census and large health surveys. We discuss the importance of these classification decisions in understanding racial/ethnic health and health care access disparities. The trend toward increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States will put further pressure on the public health industry to develop consistent and useful approaches to racial/ethnic classifications.

Figure 1

Percent of nonelderly adults reporting no health insurance at time of interview by ethnic/racial background classifications (14).

Figure 2

Percent of adults reporting no usual source of health care at time of interview by ethnic/racial background classifications (14).

Figure 3

Percent of adults reporting ever being diagnosed with asthma by ethnic/ racial background classifications (14).

Figure 4

Percent of adults reporting ever being diagnosed with a diabetic condition by ethnic/racial background classifications (14).

Figure 5

Percent of women, age 18 years and older, reporting a pap test in past year by ethnic/racial background classifications (14).

Figure 6

Percent of men, age 50 years and older, reporting a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in past year by ethnic/racial background classifications (14).