Statement on SPD-15
The recent update of Statistical Policy Directive No. 15(SPD-15) by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) marks a significant shift in how federal agencies handle race and ethnicity data, the first update since 1997. These revisions include combining race and ethnicity questions, recognizing the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) category, and requiring additional detail in data collection for various Asian communities, such as Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and an option to check off “Another group” like Pakistani, Hmong, Afghan, etc. This approach aims to improve data accuracy and effectiveness by facilitating disaggregation in collection and presentation. However, agencies retain the option to opt out of detailed data collection if they deem the burden outweighs the benefit. While we applaud these advancements, ensuring successful disaggregation requires making detailed data collection mandatory and providing a write-in option for better representation of the growing diverse South Asian groups beyond 'Asian Indian'. SAPHA is committed to continuing to advocate for data disaggregation on a local and national level.