The protocol is based on extracting data from the U.S. Census Bureau on a set of variables related to the concept of residential segregation. Residential segregation describes the distribution of different race/ethnic groups across smaller areal units (e.g., census tracts) within larger areas (e.g., counties or metropolitan statistical areas [MSAs]). All the relevant variables are available from the 1990 and 2000 decennial Censuses. Once the data are extracted the proposed measure, the Dissimilarity Index can be calculated. The protocol here describes the process using Summary File 1 (SF1) files (i.e., 100% sample data) from the 2000 Census. The Dissimilarity Index is one of the most commonly used race/ethnic residential segregation measures. All the necessary variables used in calculating residential segregation will be available from the 2010 Census. At time of writing (summer 2010) the 2010 Census has not been released, but once available it should be possible to calculate the Dissimilarity Index using input data from census tract and census block-group levels. It is mandated by law that the first population count data should be released before March 31, 2011. Assuming that information on current address (see PhenX Demographics domain, Current Address measure) and any previous address(es) (see PhenX Environmental Exposures domain, Residential History measure) has been collected for a study respondent, then via geocoding it is possible to link the address of a participant to his or her county or metropolitan area (or other large geographical unit).
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