title: Missed policy opportunities to advance health equity by recording demographic data in electronic health records.
abstract: The science of eliminating health disparities is complex and dependent on demographic data. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) encourages the adoption of electronic health records and requires basic demographic data collection; however, current data generated are insufficient to address known health disparities in vulnerable populations, including individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, with disabilities, and with diverse sexual identities. We conducted an administrative history of HITECH and identified gaps between the policy objective and required measure. We identified 20 opportunities for change and 5 changes, 2 of which required the collection of less data. Until health care demographic data collection requirements are consistent with public health requirements, the national goal of eliminating health disparities cannot be realized.
authors.affiliation: Megan D. Douglas and Dominic Mack are with the National Center for Primary Care, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Daniel E. Dawes is with the Office of the President, Morehouse School of Medicine. Kisha B. Holden is with the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Megan Daugherty
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: Kisha B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mack
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003710:Demography / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005006:Ethnicity; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D062527:Meaningful Use; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations