In education, healthcare and beyond, big decisions are based on data. But data are not neutral. 

Why not? 

Because behind every number are people and systems whose biases shape experience. Power and privilege influence who gets counted and what stories data tell. If some communities are left out or seen only as a negative statistic, that's unfair. No one wants to be invisible in data that shapes our lives.

For example, if someone can't access or doesn't trust a doctor, they won't show up in health statistics. Health records can reflect a privileged subset of those with access. Lack of care causes systemically marginalized communities to be over represented in data on chronic conditions and emergency care. 

This is where data equity comes in. Data equity means making sure data is collected, analyzed, interpreted, and shared fairly. In plain language, it's about asking who is included, who is missing. Are we interpreting the data without bias? Why does it matter? Data drives decisions for everyone. If we ignore bias and gaps, we risk unfair or harmful policies. As the why am I always being researched guide says, if evidence matters, we must care how it gets made.

But when we use data equitably, it can highlight injustice and drive change. Fair data can show which neighborhoods need clinics or which students need support, leading to better outcomes for all. 

The Manitoba Center for Health Policy puts data equity into action. As a data steward, we securely link data from health, education, social services, and more while promoting community engagement to get a full picture of community well-being. MCHP also makes sure data is used ethically. We recognize biases in the data and work to fix them. MCHP respects indigenous data sovereignty, partnering with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities so research benefits them. It's about shifting questions away from looking at problems with people and towards examining problems with systems, resulting in impactful solutions. It's about helping researchers ask better questions and find solutions for those who need it most. using data to improve lives for all Manitobans. 

So what can we do? We can support ethical, equitable data practices, ask questions about how the data is collected and used. Advocate for support of community engagement and indigenous governance structures. When data is fair and inclusive, everybody benefits.

• Indigenous data sovereignty and data access

• Land acknowledgement training
• MCHP Unlearning club
• Meta data standards (data biographies)
• IDEA in grant applications (budgets)
• Educational videos