Overview

• Researchers applied OMB’s 1977 and 1997 race definitions to national cancer incidence and mortality data to assess classification impacts
• Cancer incidence rates for white and Black populations showed minimal change between the two standards
• American Indian and Alaska Native incidence rates dropped significantly under the 1997 guidelines compared with the 1977 definitions
• Including multiracial individuals had little effect on most group rates but led to lower estimates for Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander populations
• Experts urge healthcare systems to modernize data collection and enhance self-reported race information following 2024 updates