We are a growing action network seeking partners in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories.

Our Data Disaggregation Action Network partners are working to advance data equity every day.

Our Data Disaggregation Action Network partners are working to advance data equity every day.

Subscribe today to our Data Disaggregation Action Network (D-DAN) listserv to receive our monthly newsletter, policy updates, invitations to events, and opportunities for action to promote the national movement for data equity.

Our Work

The Data Disaggregation Action Network (D-DAN) works to advance and implement federal and state policies as they relate to disaggregation of health and health care data by race and ethnicity through the engagement and empowerment of communities.

Our Partners

Through the creation of a state and national advocacy infrastructure to engage stakeholders, policymakers, and communities on the need for disaggregated data, D-DAN works to improve data quality and accessibility in order to achieve racial equity.

D-DAN Newsletter

Subscribe to our listserv to receive our monthly data disaggregation newsletter, policy updates, invitations to events, and opportunities for action to promote data disaggregation. This work is ongoing, and we hope you will take it up alongside us.

What is data disaggregation?

Disaggregation means breaking down large data categories into more specific subcategories. “Data disaggregation” refers to the collection, reporting, and analysis of information on specific subgroups by race, ethnicity, and other characteristics. When data are disaggregated, researchers are better able to analyze differences between groups, as well as the relationship between multiple variables, such as race and age.

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Aggregated data hide inequities. In many existing state and federal data collection systems, data are not sufficiently disaggregated by race and ethnicity (including detailed race and ethnicity categories), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, income, and other characteristics like geographic area or social determinants of health. This masks the nuanced realities of many communities behind larger trends, and it makes it more difficult to address inequities.

The Education Fund and our partners in the Data Disaggregation Action Network are working to advance federal and state policies as they relate to data disaggregation by race and ethnicity through the engagement and empowerment of communities. Through the creation of a state and national advocacy infrastructure to engage stakeholders, policymakers, and communities on the need for disaggregated data, D-DAN works to improve data quality and accessibility in order to better understand disparities and achieve racial equity.

Example: How Disaggregated Data Combats Myths

As just one example, aggregate data may perpetuate the model minority myth — that all Asian Americans have high levels of income, homeownership, education, and health — but disaggregated data reveal large disparities among AANHPI groups. For instance, the percentage of Asian Americans living below the poverty line ranges from 6.8 percent of Filipino Americans to 39.4 percent of Burmese Americans.

Source: The Leadership Conference Education Fund

We are the Data Disaggregation Action Network (D-DAN)

The Data Disaggregation Action Network (D-DAN) works to advance and implement federal and state policies as they relate to disaggregation by race and ethnicity through the engagement and empowerment of communities. The D-DAN state and national advocacy infrastructure helps communities achieve equity by engaging stakeholders, policymakers, and communities on the need for disaggregated data and by collaborating to improve data quality and accessibility.

D-DAN Partners: Cohort 1 (2022 – 2024)

Use our D-DAN resource library and Community Partner Toolkit to advance data disaggregation in your state and community.

Use our D-DAN resource library and Community Partner Toolkit to advance data disaggregation in your state and community.

Our resource library provides insights into the state of data disaggregation efforts across the country and provides opportunities for your organization and community leaders to join this crucial work. The “Data Disaggregation Deconstructed” blog series explores how data disaggregation in various policy areas can enhance equity.