The dilemma of using racial and ethnic categories in biomedical research

Open Access
Authors
  • A.S. Kidane Gebremeskel
  • K.A.C. Meeks
  • M.H. Cnossen
  • A. M'charek
  • A.W. Rijneveld
Publication date 2026
Journal BMC Medical Research Methodology
Article number 153
Volume | Issue number 26
Number of pages 6
Organisations
  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) - Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR)
Abstract Ethno-racial categories (ERCs) are inconsistently operationalized in biomedical research, with challenges in incorporating multiracial subjects and reliance on proxies like country of birth. We emphasize the need for transparency in ERC data collection and propose peer reviewer guidelines to standardize and critically evaluate ERC usage in studies.
Document type Comment/Letter to the editor
Language English
Published at
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-026-02917-x (Final published version)
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