Demographic characteristics of U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area: assessing the representativeness of the PINE study.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the representativeness of the demographic characteristics of the PINE study to the Chinese aging population in the Greater Chicago area. METHOD: The PINE study is a population-based study of Chinese older adults aged 60 and over in the Greater Chicago area. In preparation of the PINE study, we conducted a random block census study in Chicago. Demographic characteristics of the PINE study were compared with the data drawn from U.S. Census 2010 and random block census study using chi-square tests. RESULTS: The PINE study is representative of the Chinese aging population in the Greater Chicago area. No significant difference was found in key attributes including age, sex, income, education, number of children, and country of origin. DISCUSSION: Our report is critical in understanding the vast socio-demographic diversity of U.S. Chinese older adults. Rigorous studies are needed to explore the heterogeneity among the diverse aging populations.