IMPROVING DATA-COLLECTION STRATEGIES

The authors examined 21 major health data systems of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and concluded that data on Hispanics are not included in several Departmental national health data collection systems, and that even when collected, data on Hispanic subpopulations are found in few of the systems. Of the 21 data systems, 6 do not collect Hispanic population data, including the Medicare statistical system. Only the National Vital Statistics System was found to collect data for all major Hispanic subpopulation groups. Seventeen of the 21 data systems do not collect sample sizes adequate for analyzing any one of the four major Hispanic subpopulation groups. To address that lack, Hispanic health leadership agendas have recommended collecting data on Hispanics in all systems, where possible, to provide samples of a size adequate for detailed analysis of Hispanic subpopulation groups, for support of researchers and a Hispanic research infrastructure, and for broad dissemination of data findings, including dissemination in useful formats to Hispanic community-based organizations.