Methodology: Determinants of equity

A community-informed approach

Data means little about the community it serves without input from the community. Leading with Race principles guided the development of the Determinants of Equity tool, centering on Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in the process. To the extent possible, quantitative and/or qualitative data is incorporated to highlight intersectional identities, such as race with disability, LGBTQIA+ identity, income, English language learning, and gender.

A comprehensive review of reports from community-based groups helped identify community priorities for each determinant area. These community priorities were verified through sessions with advisory groups with large representation of Black, Indigenous and People of Color: BIPOC, as well as representation of individuals with lived experiences in disability, age, gender identity, religion, migrant communities, etc. Working with subject matter experts, best-fit indicators were identified to reflect these community priorities.

Other considerations:

Climate change

Climate change is not experienced equally, and its impacts amplify existing disparities that disproportionately impact BIPOC communities, immigrants and refugees, people living with low incomes, people with disabilities, limited-English-speaking communities, and other frontline communities. As such, climate change indicators will be identified throughout the determinants of equity data tool.

COVID-19 pandemic

The national response to the COVID-19 pandemic included stay-at-home orders, guidance on social distancing, adaptation to remote work and schooling, school closures, and other disruptions that interrupted the consistent collection and reporting of many kinds of information. Many of the data structures employed for gathering data related to health, human services, and education were discontinued, delayed, or placed on hold, including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, and data collected by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. As a result, data for some indicators may be incomplete for these years or the disruptions from the pandemic may be visible in breaks in historical trends in the data.

Technical data notes and limitations

The 2023 King County Determinants of Equity tool draws upon a wide range of data sources and methodologies. When using the data in this tool, use caution when interpreting the data. Technical notes for indicators displayed in this collection can be found in their respective Story Map.

Use links to the data sources in each of the indicators and refer to data sources for guidance on data analyses.

• This data is subject to a margin of error. While we do not report margins of error in our charts, we make efforts to avoid reporting highly unreliable estimates.
• Users should not assume that small differences in indicator values between demographic subgroups are statistically significant.

Race and ethnicity categorization

The Determinants of Equity tool adheres to federal standards for demographic breakdowns of King County’s 2.3 million residents. Please keep the following in mind when reviewing the data by race and ethnicity:

• When looking at data by race and ethnicity, it is important to recognize that race and racial categories are social constructs, often used as tools for systematic oppression, division, and marginalization.
• The federal government is currently proposing major changes to the census and other federal government surveys that would transform how Middle Eastern, North African and Latinos are counted. As new federal guidance becomes available, we will be updating the tool.
• The Determinants of Equity tool draws heavily on federal, state and local data. Most data sources do not disaggregate race and ethnicity data, and important dynamics and differences in outcomes can be lost when broad categories are applied. For example, the federal government recognizes there is a systemic lack of data disaggregation in Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Disaggregated data can unmask realities and needs within Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders subgroups, leading to better policies.

Data justice and the importance of reviewing qualitative data

Data justice aims to capture forms of knowledge and lived experiences that are community-centered and community-driven to counter the systemic erasure and harm perpetrated on BIPOC communities via oppressive data practices. The fundamental premises of data justice are that data should: (1) make visible community-driven needs, challenges, and strengths, (2) be representative of community; and (3) treat data in ways that promote community self-determination. - The Coalition of Communities of Color

King County recognizes governmental data practices often misidentify, misclassify and erase communities, causing harm and resulting in inaccurate data that can be misleading and further perpetuate systemic racism.

As noted previously, the Determinants of Equity tool draws heavily on federal, state and local data, which is limited and does not fully represent the full and diverse experiences of all communities.

King County is increasingly leaning into community engagement and co-creation strategies that recognize BIPOC communities are the experts of their lived experiences, and communities know best what they need to prosper and thrive.

To support this work, the quantitative data in the Determinants of Equity tool should be paired with community engagement findings or qualitative data to inform planning, decision-making and implementation of policies.

Learn more in King County’s Equity Impact Review process.