---
title: >-
  Who are we missing? Underrepresentation of data sources used for
  pharmacoepidemiology research in the United States
description: >-
  Explore this publication on real-world evidence: Who are we missing?
  Underrepresentation of data sources used for pharmacoepidemiology research in
  the United…
date: '2020-01-01'
author: M. Alan Brookhart, PhD
category: Publications
tags:
  - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  - Abstract/Manuscript
  - Approval & Commercialization
  - 'Yes'
  - Health System Partner
  - Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety
  - Methods/Pharmacoepi
  - R&D
canonical_url: >-
  https://www.headwaterscience.com/resources/publications/acad-university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/who-are-we-missing-underrepresentation-of-data-sources-used/
source: Headwater Science
license: © 2026 Headwater Science. All rights reserved.
slug: who-are-we-missing-underrepresentation-of-data-sources-used
id: 1xXi0oA9lfAh4ytm77opRf
contentType: article
---

## Challenge

The representativeness of US data sources used for pharmacoepidemiology research had not been systematically quantified across race, ethnicity, geography, insurance type, and socioeconomic status, leaving unknown the degree to which RWE findings generalize to the broader US population.

## Solution

Target RWE researchers systematically characterized the demographic and socioeconomic profiles of populations covered by commonly used US pharmacoepidemiology data sources compared to the US Census, revealing patterns of underrepresentation.

## Impact

Documenting systematic data source underrepresentation provides a critical methodological foundation for Target RWE's data-agnostic analytic approach and informs pharma partners about generalizability limitations.

## Use Cases / Links

Data source representativeness characterization for generalizability-aware RWE study design, Underrepresentation evidence informing inclusive data source selection for pharma partner studies