Perils of Computerization
Abstract
Reply: I agree completely with Drs. Bell and Rcndon that clear dcfinitions ofrace and ethnicity remain elusive and that researchers should indicate when these terms arc interchangeable and when they are not. In an early discussion of methodological issues in comparing epidemiological data for blacks and whites, I noted the use of the term âracial groupâ to refer to a group that is ethnically distinct but is also distinguishable by color(1). Blacks thus constitute both a racial and ethnic group, while the racial group referred to as white consists of several ethnic groups. More recently, I have suggested that national statistics might be more informative ifthere were greatCr consistency in categorizing nonwhite groups. Currently some publications from the National Institute of Mental Health present racial data in only two categories, âwhiteâ and âall other races,â while other give extensive racial breakdowns: âwhite (not Hispanic); black (not Hispanic); Hispanic (any race); American Indian/Alaskan Native; Asian/Pacific Islander.â For clarification, the term âracial differenceâ in my article was intended to combine the experiences of American American, Afno-Canibbean, and South African blacks. Although they are distinct ethnic groups, the striking similarities in their experiences as they seek psychiatric care (3,4) provide some