Improving the recording of ethnicity in health datasets (Race Equality Foundation, November 2022)

Summary

Incomplete or inaccurate recording of ethnicity will undermine attempts to address health inequalities and improve access, experience and outcomes for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. This report by the Race Equality Foundation and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) looks at different aspects of the recording of ethnicity in healthcare. The authors interviewed people from a range of communities across England, as well as healthcare workers from different areas and settings to understand both sides of the process of collecting ethnicity data.

Content

Recommendations

1. Better explanation of why ethnicity data is being collected.
2. Develop better knowledge of links between ethnicity and health.
3. Ensure ethnic categories reflect the current communities.
4. Develop consistency in approach for recording ethnicity.
5. A role for communities to contribute to how ethnicity is defined and categorised.