Characteristics of the healthy brain sample: Representing diversity among older Americans

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. The Healthy Aging Research Network's Workgroup on Promoting Cognitive Health conducted a large multi-site study designed to examine healthy aging among a diverse group of older Americans, in the context of brain health, to provide a foundation for developing interventions to promote cognitive health. This brief report describes characteristics of the approximately 450 older adults in 50 focus groups across 9 sites who participated in the study and compares them with characteristics of the older adult population of the United States. DESIGN AND METHODS. Data comprise self-reported responses to a common participant survey administered at all sites. Using descriptive statistics, we describe and compare characteristics such as age, sex, and race/ethnicity; rural-urban and state-specific location; income and education; social activity and emotional health; physical activity, nutrition, and BMI; and memory and dementia, both across sites and with population-based national data. RESULTS. Comparisons across sites document the rich diversity of the sample. Pooling all data and comparing responses from selected survey questions to national data show how our sample is similar to and differs from the population of older Americans. IMPLICATIONS. Although selection bias may limit the trustworthiness of focus group-based qualitative research, the large number of participants in this study and the diversity across samples increases the likelihood that results of the study are transferable (i.e., applicable to other contexts).