Beyond dummy variables and sample selection: what health services researchers ought to know about race as a variable.

OBJECTIVE

This article addresses the definitional and methodological problems associated with the most common uses of race as a variable in health research.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Although often used in health services research, race is a poorly understood concept because it lacks conceptual clarity. Moreover, the measurement problems with race have not yet been adequately addressed. As a result, many quantitative models that attempt to explain race differences are inadequate to inform health or social policy.

CONCLUSIONS

Researchers should treat the race variable with the same degree of caution and skepticism with which it treats any other variable.