The concept and measurement of race and their relationship to public health: a review focused on Brazil and the United States

Cad Saude Publica. 2004 May-Jun;20(3):660-78. doi: 10.1590/s0102-311x2004000300003. Epub 2004 May 19.

Abstract

Race has been widely used in studies on health and healthcare inequalities, especially in the United States. Validity and reliability problems with race measurement are of concern in public health. This article reviews the literature on the concept and measurement of race and compares how the findings apply to the United States and Brazil. We discuss in detail the data quality issues related to the measurement of race and the problems raised by measuring race in multiracial societies like Brazil. We discuss how these issues and problems apply to public health and make recommendations about the measurement of race in medical records and public health research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Humans
  • Public Health*
  • Racial Groups* / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Class
  • Social Justice*
  • Sociology, Medical
  • United States