Leveraging Technology to Improve Health Disparity Research: Trilingual Data Collection Using Tablets

Abstract

Survey research is an essential component of epidemiological research to understand the health of older adults. However, there are several limitations to conventional data collection methods that may serve as barriers for recruitment and retention of research participants, especially from minority populations. With recent technological advancements, our research team developed an innovative data collection and management system to address linguistic and cultural barriers, data quality, data security, and data preparation issues. This platform has been utilized in the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago since 2011. Future use and improvement of this system will facilitate research among minority older adults and increase research participation and representativeness to ultimately understand and improve the health and well-being of diverse populations. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:S479-S485, 2019.