AZHIN: DBH 9022: Health Equity: Epidemiological Data

United States

Sources of epidemiological data on populations that experience health disparities include specific datasets and tools addressing veterans, homeless, incarcerated populations, racial and ethnic minorities, and children.

Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Health Equity provides comprehensive data. Key resources include the National Veteran Health Equity Report, the Veterans Geography of Opportunity Tool, and the Compendium of Federal Datasets Addressing Health Disparities. These aggregate data from VA Health Administration, American Community Survey, surveys of inmates, and other federal datasets to assess disparities by race/ethnicity, gender, age, geography, socioeconomic status, and disability among Veterans.
Incarcerated Populations
The Compendium of Federal Datasets Addressing Health Disparities used by the VA and others includes data like the National Inmate Survey, Survey of Inmates in Federal and State Correctional Facilities, and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, which provide epidemiological insight on incarcerated and related vulnerable groups.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities

Typical sources are the American Community Survey (ACS), National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and CDC databases; these are often included in federal compendiums addressing health disparities. Cohort studies can also provide useful information.

American Community Survey (ACS)
Detailed population and housing information about the United States.
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
Includes a variety of reports and publications.
CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Insights into the health of people across the United States and how their health changes over time.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services.
Population Profiles: US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health
Profiles for American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
Lessons Learned from Immigrant Health Cohorts: A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Policy and Practice in Addressing Health Inequities among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
KFF Health Care Disparities Among Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) People

Rural Populations

There are several datasets and resources specifically focused on rural America that illuminate health disparities in these populations. The data here may also be useful for other populations.

County Health Rankings (CHR) datasets from 2015 to 2022
Provides extensive county-level data on social determinants of health, health outcomes, clinical care, behaviors, and physical environment factors, differentiating rural versus urban counties using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC). These data reveal worsening health inequities in rural counties over time, including higher rates of diabetes, poor self-reported health, mental and physical distress, premature mortality, uninsured rates, obesity, food insecurity, and lower healthcare workforce availability.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Data Warehouse
County-level maps and data layers on rural maternal health, infant health, healthcare resources, and other rural health indicators to support analyses in rural health disparities.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Rural Health Series
Federal reports and studies from the United Health Foundation provide comparative rural-urban health disparity data, covering mortality rates, chronic disease prevalence, health behaviors, and access gaps

Homeless

There are multiple key datasets and sources for epidemiological and other data on homeless populations.

Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR)
Provides nationwide estimates of homelessness using Point-in-Time counts and other data collected from Continuums of Care (CoCs). This is a primary federal dataset on homeless population size, demographics, and housing status.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Exchange
Datasets, tools, reports, and guidance useful for understanding trends and supporting homelessness providers.
National Healthcare for the Homeless Council (NCHE)
Summary statistics regarding homeless student enrollment and demographics.