Validity of Infant Race/Ethnicity from Birth Certificates in the Context of U.S. Demographic Change

Objective

To compare infant race/ethnicity based on birth certificates with parent report of infant race/ethnicity in a survey.

Data Sources

The 2007 klahoma birth certificates and for klahoma Kids baseline survey.

Study Design

Using sensitivity scores and positive predictive values, we examined consistency of infant race/ethnicity across two data sources ( = 2,663).

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We compared conventional measures of infant race/ethnicity from birth certificate and survey data. We also tested alternative measures that allow biracial classification, determined from parental information on the infant's birth certificate or parental survey report.

Principal Findings

Sensitivity of conventional measures is highest for hites and frican mericans and lowest for ispanics; positive predictive value is highest for ispanics and frican mericans and lowest for merican ndians. Alternative measures improve values among hites but yield mostly low values among minority and biracial groups.

Conclusions

Health disparities research should consider the source and validity of infant race/ethnicity data when creating sampling frames or designing studies that target infants by race/ethnicity. The common practice of assigning the maternal race/ethnicity as infant race/ethnicity should continue to be challenged.