What Might Happen If We Do Not Collect High-Quality Race and Ethnicity Data

This perspective examines what is lost when race and ethnicity data are not adequately collected or analyzed. It highlights the importance of these data for identifying disparities, informing the design of effective interventions, and ensuring that clinical trials achieve meaningful and equitable impact. It also discusses how the absence of such data can limit the broader applicability and effectiveness of research findings. The conclusion is that when high-quality data are available and analyzed thoughtfully, they enable the identification of inequities, illuminate underlying mechanisms, guide targeted interventions, support accountability, and ultimately improve the health of all Americans.