Achieving a Representative Sample of Asian Americans in Biomedical Research Through Community-Based Approaches: Comparing Demographic Data in the All of Us Research Program With the American Community Survey

Abstract

Background:

Underrepresented persons are often not included in biomedical research. It is unknown if the general Asian American population is being represented in All of Us. The purpose of this study was to compare the Asian demographic data in the All of Us cohort with the Asian nationally representative data from the American Community Survey.

Method:

Demographic characteristics and health literacy of Asians in All of Us were examined. Findings were qualitatively compared with the Asian data in the 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimate.

Results:

Compared with the national composition of Asians, less All of Us participants were born outside the United States (64% vs 79%), were younger, and had higher levels of education (76% vs 52%). Over 60% of All of Us participants reported high levels of health literacy.

Conclusion:

This study had implications for the development of strategies that ensure diverse populations are represented in biomedical research.