DIVERSITY, INEQUALITY AND OFFICIAL DATA - SOME PROBLEMS OF METHOD ANDMEASUREMENT IN BRITAIN

This paper reviews the ways in which diversity and inequality are repr esented in the major sources of health data in Britain. It examines ho w identities linked to disability, 'race', class and sexuality are rep resented in official statistics and national surveys. The paper argues that (1) the methods of data-collection and data-analysis result in t he exclusion of minority group experiences and (2) the measures of soc ial position mask and misrepresent dimensions of inequality that the n ew social movements have sought to make visible. Illustrations of thes e processes are given.