By: Nathaniel J. Greene, Community and Culture Reporter
In a groundbreaking move, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has expanded its race and ethnicity standards for the first time since 1997, aiming to include historically excluded communities in federal data collection. This significant update was the focal point of the first of three briefings on health inequities sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and hosted by Ethnic Media Services on May 17.
The virtual briefing brought together a diverse panel of experts and advocates to discuss how improved data collection can better direct resources and interventions to communities facing the greatest health challenges.
Gail C. Christopher, Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, emphasized the transformative potential of this change.
“We are in a transformational moment in this country. Despite efforts to sabotage change, we are moving forward as a nation to recognize our diversity as our most important asset,” she stated.
Tina J. Kauh, Senior Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, highlighted the personal impact of these changes through her own story.
“My parents, first-generation Korean immigrants, faced numerous cultural and language barriers. The racial stereotype of Asians as the model minority perpetuates a myth that they’re all faring well. Without accurate data, we can’t address the inequities they experience,” Kauh explained.
Meeta Anand, Senior Program Director at The Leadership Conference Education Fund, underscored the importance of disaggregated data.
“Data collection is a participatory process. This moment is an opportunity to engage communities and influence what data are collected about us at all levels,” she said.
Anand also noted her personal experience as a person of mixed heritage, stressing the need for flexibility in data collection to accurately reflect individual identities.
Juan Rosa, National Director of Civic Engagement at NALEO Educational Fund, spoke about the specific challenges faced by Afro-Latinos.
“Afro-Latinos should be signaled to identify as both Latino and Black to ensure they are accurately represented. We need outreach and education campaigns to guide communities on how to answer race and ethnicity questions properly,” he remarked.
The panelists agreed that while the new standards are a critical first step, high-quality implementation is essential. They stressed the need for resources at the state and local levels and the importance of engaging community-based groups to ensure these changes lead to real improvements in health equity.
The briefing concluded with a call to action for the media and communities to stay informed and involved in the ongoing process. As Dr. Christopher aptly put it, “We are moving forward faster, and it’s through collective effort that we can ensure everyone in America is counted and seen.”