CMS Releases Health Equity Data Definitions, Standards, & Stratification

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) Office of Minority Health has released a new resource document of health equity-related data definitions, standards, and stratification practices. Review the new resource: CMS’ Resource of Health Equity-related Data Definitions, Standards, and Stratification Practices.

This resource offers a table of suggested definitions, standards, and stratification practices for 9 health equity-related data elements as well as several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the purpose and usage of the document. It may also clarify differences in results that may arise when different data standards and definitions are sued.

Providers, states, community organizations, researchers, and others collecting and/or stratifying their health equity-related data can make use of this resource to align with CMS.  HHS recently released the HHS Equity Action Plan. HHS has selected 5 areas of focus for our 2023 equity action plan. These actions are a selection of HHS’s work to advance equity.

This CMS resource document speaks to the HHS Equity Action Plan Strategy #2: Promote Accessible and Welcoming Health Services for All to assist in bettering the evidence base to advance health equity. Learn more about the CMS Framework for Health Equity and additional health equity data efforts from CMS.