Table 1.

Methods for Measuring Structural Racism

Measure	Example Articles	Strengths	Limitations
Scales	(25–27)	Reflects the multidimensional nature of structural racism and joint effects of several dimensions	Less direct implications for intervention
Indexes	(13)	Reflects the multidimensional nature of structural racism and joint effects of several dimensions	Sum scores assume equal weight of each indicator; only a few indicators can be modeled simultaneously
Indicators	(10–12, 28, 29)	Most easily interpreted and implemented	Describe the consequences of structural racism but do not directly measure its multidimensional nature
Specific policies and groups of policies	(30–32)	Direct implications for intervention; can measure the mechanisms of structural racism’s effects on health	Insufficient variation in exposure for deeply entrenched policies and policy areas