Sarah A. Burgard|Patricia V. Chen
Challenges of health measurement in studies of health disparities
State Street (United States)|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|State Street (United States)|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
health disparities increasingly studied across growing array societies novel contexts comparisons promising development commentary highlights four challenges finding appropriate adequate health measures making comparisons across groups within society across distinctive societies challenges affect accuracy characterize degree inequality limiting possibilities effectively targeting resources improve health reduce disparities first comparisons may challenged different distributions disease second variation availability quality vital events census data often used measure health third comparability selfreported information specific health conditions may vary across social groups societies diagnosis bias diagnosis avoidance fourth selfreported overall health measures measures specific symptoms may comparable across groups use different reference groups interpret questions concepts differently explain specific issues make type challenge show may lead underestimates inflation estimated health disparities also discuss approaches used address prior research note innovation needed solve lingering problems make recommendations improving future research many examples drawn south africa united states societies characterized substantial socioeconomic inequality across ethnic groups wide disparities many health outcomes issues explored throughout apply wide variety contexts inquiries