The 'place' of data

Health disparities research has been at the forefront for many researchers, organizations, and funding agencies. Collecting, interpreting, and disseminating data on particular disparate populations are at the core of this research process, data which have been interpreted to be meaningful to the benefit of and use by communities. The purpose of this paper is to explore the question, "How is data used?" with an appreciation for indigenous beliefs and community based research. An analogy, from the perspective of "place," will be used to illustrate how data is used through various levels of commitment or belonging one has to a particular place. Recommendations on the collection, interpretation and dissemination of data from this perspective conclude this paper.