Dying to Be Counted: The Social Determinants of Data – A Critical Analysis of the Quality of the 2020 North Carolina Latino COVID-19 Mortality Data

<p class="SingleSpaceNormal">Mortality data informs public health practice and initiatives, policy formulation, and resource allocation. The COVID-19 Latino mortality data in 2020 elicited a specific response from public health officials, but there was no questioning around the quality or the accuracy of the data. Using a critical lens, this study examines the data collection process, identifies gaps, and analyzes the implications of inaccuracy and limitations. This study found that missing ethnicity data in North Carolina&rsquo;s COVID-19 mortality records was not random but rather a systemic issue rooted in bureaucratic inefficiencies, inconsistent reporting practices, and institutional neglect. These findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions to mandate complete and accurate ethnicity reporting, ensuring equitable public health responses and resource allocation.