5203.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 2:50 PM

Abstract #16818

'Race' and research in US epidemiology during the 20th century

For epidemiologists in the United States, the usage of "race" remains problematic, despite more than a decade of debate. Is race a biological variable, a social construct, a proxy for discrimination and prejudice? Although the current controversy has unique features, epidemiology has had to confront changing definitions of "race" across the 20th century. This paper examines the changing construction of "race" in U.S. epidemiology and the effect of such changes on research methodology and analysis.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn to identify different ways-political, scientific, social-in which the concepts of race and ethnicity have been measured and categorized and used over the course of the twentieth century. Discussion regarding changes in measurement and categorization over time will illustrate the historical concept of the "construction" of race.
2. Participants will learn to recognize race as a social, scientific, and political construct.
3. The session will also enable participants to discuss and describe the importance of history in understanding research and policy implications of racial categories and racial measurement in public health.

Keywords: History, Ethnicity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA