Abstract
Despite growing interest in the community-based participatory research method, limited empirical research exists on how to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers in applying community-based participatory research principles within the Chinese elderly community. This article reports on the implementation of a participatory process to assess the health needs of an aging Chinese population. We recorded challenges faced and lessons learned in collecting pilot data on issues pertaining to the health of a community-dwelling older Chinese population (over 60 years of age) in Chicago‘s Chinatown (Chicago, IL, USA). We have learned that establishing partnerships with a humble approach, acknowledging community diversity in languages and cultures, building on community strengths, and empowering community through education are important considerations in this collaboration. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Ethical conduct of research
The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.