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.

Narrowing the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in breast and cervical cancer requires an in-depth understanding of motivation for adherence to cancer screening and follow-up care. To inform patient-centered interventions, this study aimed to identify reasons why low-income women adhered to or delayed breast or cervical cancer screening, follow-up and treatment despite access to cancer care-related services. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted among women with access to cancer care-related services receiving care at an academic cancer center, federally qualified health centers, or free clinics in the Chicago metropolitan area. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for themes related to rationales for adherence. Among 138 participants, most were African American (46%) or Hispanic (36%), English speaking (70%), and between ages 41 and 65 years (64%). Primary drivers of nonadherence included lack of knowledge of resources, denial or fear, competing obligations, and embarrassment. Facilitators included abnormality identification, patient activation, provider-initiated actions, and motivation from family or friends. Interventions targeting increased adherence to care among low-income and ethnic minority women should direct efforts to proactive, culturally and patient-informed education that enables patients to access resources and use the health care system, address misconceptions about cancer, ensure health care providers' communication of screening guidelines, and leverage the patient's social support network.

Objective: Loneliness is an important indicator of well-being. However, we have limited understanding of loneliness in minority aging populations. This study aims to identify the prevalence of loneliness among U.S. Chinese older adults. Method: Data were drawn from the PINE study, a population-based study of 3,159 U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area. Results: Our findings indicated that the prevalence of loneliness was 26.2%. Older adults with older age, female gender, and living alone reported higher prevalence of loneliness. Older adults with worsened health status, poorer quality of life, and negative health changes over the past year were also more likely to experience loneliness. Discussion: Loneliness is common among U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area. Future longitudinal studies are needed to improve the understanding of risk factors and outcomes associated with loneliness in Chinese older adults.