Race as a Social Construct: Serving the Needs of All Individuals

Race is a social construct that is broadly used to categorize people based on physical characteristics, behavioral patterns, and geographic location. Race is not a proxy for biology or genetics. Data regarding race is typically based on self-identification and data collection routinely allows respondents to select more than one race. Racial and ethnic groups that have historically faced discrimination are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Ohio Department of Medicaid recognizes that social inequality, not genetic differences, produce these racial and ethnic health disparities. Examining health access, health care quality, and health outcome data by race and ethnicity allows the health system to assist in addressing the factors contributing to inequity and ensure that the health system serves the needs of all individuals. October 2021

For more information, please contact Melissa Nance, ODM Quality Improvement Section Chief (Melissa.Nance@medicaid.ohio.gov).

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Founded in 2017, the mission of Cardi-OH is to improve cardiovascular and diabetes health outcomes and eliminate disparities in Ohio's Medicaid population.

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