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Data sources for aging research on racial and ethnic groups
1Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
The Gerontologist
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Federal data sources adequately support research on white and African American elders. However, data on minority elders, including Hispanics and Asian Americans, are insufficient for robust aging research.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- U.S. federal agencies collect extensive aging-related data.
- Existing data sets are frequently used for analysis.
- The need for research on minority elders is growing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey federal aging-related data sources.
- To assess the suitability of these data for minority elder research.
- To identify gaps in data representation for diverse aging populations.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a survey of U.S. federal agency data sources.
- Analyzed sample sizes and topics covered in data sets.
- Performed formal tests on data set adequacy for minority groups.
Main Results:
- Data sets are sufficient for research on white elders.
- Most data sets adequately support research on African American elders.
- Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are underrepresented.
Conclusions:
- Current federal data sources have limitations for studying diverse minority elder populations.
- Further data collection and analysis are needed to support research on underrepresented groups.
- Addressing data gaps is crucial for equitable aging research.