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Comparative Study
. 2003 Oct;93(10):1734-9.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.10.1734.

Agreement between administrative data and patients' self-reports of race/ethnicity

Nancy R Kressin  1 , Bei-Hung Chang, Ann Hendricks, Lewis E Kazis
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Agreement between administrative data and patients' self-reports of race/ethnicity

Nancy R Kressin et al. Am J Public Health. 2003 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined agreement of administrative data with self-reported race/ethnicity and identified correlates of agreement.

Methods: We used Veterans Affairs administrative data and VA 1999 Large Health survey race/ethnicity data.

Results: Relatively low rates of agreement (approximately 60%) between data sources were largely the result of administrative data from patients whose race/ethnicity was unknown, with least agreement for Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander patients. After exclusion of patients with missing race/ethnicity, agreement improved except for Native Americans. Agreement did not increase substantially after inclusion of data from individuals indicating multiple race/ethnicities. Patients for whom there was better agreement between data sources tended to be less educated, non-solitary living, younger, and White; to have sufficient food; and to use more inpatient Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care.

Conclusions: Better reporting of race/ethnicity data will improve agreement between data sources. Previous studies using VA administrative data may have underestimated racial disparities.

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