Related Experiment Videos
Picture imperfect: hidden problems among Asian Pacific islander elderly
S P Tanjasiri1, S P Wallace, K Shibata
1Department of Community Health Sciences, UCLA School of Public Health 90024-1772, USA.
The Gerontologist
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Asian Pacific Islander (API) elderly health needs are misunderstood. Aggregate data masks significant disparities, revealing a bimodal distribution in socioeconomic and health status for this growing demographic.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Asian Pacific Islander (API) elderly are the fastest-growing ethnic elderly group in the U.S.
- Existing research often portrays API elderly as having equal or better health than white populations.
- Aggregate data obscures the diverse socioeconomic and health realities within the API elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the social and health needs of API elderly.
- To examine national data illustrating the impact of socioeconomic and health status bimodal distribution.
- To discuss implications for future research and policy concerning API elderly.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ethnogerontology studies focusing on API elderly.
- Analysis of selected national datasets to identify socioeconomic and health disparities.
- Examination of how aggregate data can mask underlying variations.
Main Results:
- Aggregate data on API elderly health is misleading.
- A bimodal distribution exists in socioeconomic status and health outcomes among API elderly.
- Significant disparities are hidden when viewing API elderly as a monolithic group.
Conclusions:
- Current understanding of API elderly social and health needs is limited.
- The bimodal distribution necessitates nuanced research and policy approaches.
- Further investigation is required to address the specific needs of diverse API elderly subgroups.