Chinese Women Research Articles

Factors affecting lymphedema after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and axillary dissection in female breast cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study based on the Chinese population

PurposeBreast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common complication among breast cancer survivors. Most BCRL studies have focused on patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, with relatively little attention paid to BCRL in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with BCRL in Chinese women undergoing NAC and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).MethodsAt our institution, this cohort study collected data from 336 women with breast cancer and documented axillary nodal metastasis at diagnosis, who received NAC and ALND surgery between 2015 and 2020. BCRL was assessed through both objective limb circumference measurements and subjective self-reported symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify risk factors for BCRL, considering clinical, demographic, and lifestyle-related characteristics.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of BCRL within 2.5 years was 43.75%. Factors independently associated with BCRL included radiotherapy (versus no radiotherapy; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.611; P = 0.020), NAC duration of 105 days or shorter (versus 105-143 days; HR = 0.471; P = 0.020), removal of more than 15 lymph nodes (versus 15 or fewer lymph nodes; HR = 1.593; P = 0.036), drainage duration of 20-29 days (versus 10-19 days; HR = 1.568; P = 0.028), and sleeping biased toward the affected arm (versus sleeping biased toward the healthy arm; HR = 2.033; P = 0.019).ConclusionThis study identified several risk factors for BCRL in breast cancer patients following NAC and ALND. Patients presenting with one or more of these factors should be monitored closely for early detection and intervention. Further research is warranted to explore the impact of drainage duration and sleep position on the development of BCRL.

Development and validation of a tool for assessing breast cancer health literacy among Chinese women

Abstract Background Breast cancer (BC) is a major malignancy that seriously threatens women’s health. No unified, evidence-based, standardized assessment tools for BC literacy are available in China yet. Objectives We sought to develop an assessment tool to measure BC health literacy among Chinese women and to test the tool’s reliability, validity, and feasibility. Methods Group discussion, expert consultation, and small-sample pilot investigation were conducted to develop an initial assessment tool. A multi-stage stratified random-sampling process was used to select women aged 18-64 years in Yichang City, Hubei Province, China, for an onsite survey. Project analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to screen the questions to create a formal assessment tool, which was further evaluated by feasibility analysis and the measurement of reliability and validity. Results The official version of the assessment tool for Chinese female BC health literacy includes 32 items. Nine common factors (policy knowledge, uncorrectable risk factors, modifiable risk factors, identification of early warning signs #1 and #2, screening methods, breast self-awareness and examination behaviors, timely seeking of medical help and standardized treatment, and rehabilitation) were extracted through exploratory factor analysis with factor loadings of 0.511-0.873 and a cumulative explained variance of 65.989%. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed χ2/df = 1.61, CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.04, and SRMR = 0.06. The overall Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.875, and the split-half reliability was 0.770 (both >0.700). Conclusions An assessment tool for Chinese female BC health literacy was developed with acceptable feasibility, reliability, and validity. The application of this tool can help to promote BC prevention and control in China and may also benefit other countries. Key messages • An assessment tool for Chinese female BC health literacy was developed with acceptable feasibility, reliability, and validity. • The application of this tool can help to promote BC prevention and control in China and may also benefit other countries.

Overdiagnosis of lung cancer in Chinese populations

Abstract Background Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been widely-used in employee health examinations in China since 2011. This study was designed based on the Cancer Surveillance data to quantify the overdiagnosis of lung cancer due to the introduction of LDCT in Chinese populations. Methods This registry-based cohort study included 46,978 incident cases and 34,475 deaths of lung cancer from Pudong New Area of Shanghai, China, during 2002-2020. We calculated the age-standardized rates (ASR) and average annual changes (AAC) of mortality and overall, stage-specific and histological type-specific incidence by sex to evaluate the potential overdiagnosis of lung cancer. We further estimated the numbers and proportions of lung cancer cases attributable to overdiagnosis by sex and period based on the comparison between the shape of the age-specific curves with that prior to the introduction of LDCT in the populations. Results The ASR of incidence of lung cancer increased rapidly since 2011 in both men (AAC: 1.90%; 95%CI: 0.87, 2.92) and women (AAC: 4.40%; 95%CI: 3.19, 5.62), whereas the ASR of mortality declined persistently, with AAC of -0.12% (-0.64, 0.39) in men and -0.19% (-0.47, 0.09) in women. The upward trends in incidence were mainly observed in women, for early-stage cancer and for lung adenocarcinoma. Overall, the overdiagnosis rate of lung cancer grew from 22% in 2011-2015 to 50% in 2016-2020 in women. Further analysis demonstrated elevated numbers (proportions) of lung adenocarcinoma cases attributable to overdiagnosis, which increased from 182 (8%) in 2011-2015 to 827(22%) in 2016-2020 in men, and from 1,842 (85%) to 4,171 (89%) in women. Conclusions This registry-based cohort study observed considerable and increasing overdiagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese men and women. Guideline is urgently needed to maximize the benefits of LDCT screening and reduce the potential overdiagnosis of lung cancer in the populations. Key messages • The secular trends in incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Chinese populations demonstrated the overdiagnosis since 2011, when the LDCT was used as a part of staff health examination in China. • Overdiagnosis of lung cancer in Chinese populations increased incrementally over time and was mainly observed among women.

U. Parvum serovars exhibit distinct pathogenicity in Chinese women of childbearing age: a multicentre cross-sectional study

BackgroundUreaplasma spp. can be classified into different serovars. It is unknown whether distinct serovars are associated with clinical signs and symptoms.MethodsWe conducted a multicentre cross-sectional study. U. parvum serovars were identified on the basis of their multiple-banded antigen (MBA) genes. After adjusting for demographic variables and other reproductive tract infections, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to determine the impact of U. parvum serovars on clinical symptoms.ResultsAmong 5,277 individuals, U. parvum serovars 3 and 6 were the most prevalent serovars (17.9% and 16.0%, respectively). Potential confounders, such as age, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, education level, contraceptive methods, number of sexual partners, gravidity, parity, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are associated with clinical symptoms (P < 0.1) were adjusted for in the univariate analysis. U. parvum serovar 14 was strongly positively associated with certain clinical symptoms, including redness and swelling of the vaginal wall (crude OR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.92–6.49; adjusted OR: 5.21, 95% CI: 2.56–10.58), cervical bleeding and swelling (crude OR: 3.89, 95% CI: 2.38–6.36; adjusted OR: 7.37, 95% CI: 3.82–14.23), and cervical ectropion (crude OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.25–3.45; adjusted OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.60–5.74). In contrast, U. parvum serovar 3 was negatively associated with a variety of clinical symptoms, whereas no correlations were detected between U. parvum serovars 1and 6 with clinical symptoms.ConclusionsDifferent U. parvum serovars exhibit distinct correlations with clinical symptoms, suggesting that U. parvum serovars are pathogenically heterogeneous and that further differentiation of serovars may be necessary.Trial registrationThe study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; ID: NCT04694495; Registration Date: 2021–01-05).

A 39-year-old woman with transient convulsions and vision disturbances: a case report

BackgroundPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare neurological syndrome that refers to reversible subcortical vasogenic brain edema disorder in patients with acute neurological symptoms.Case presentationWhether there is a direct causal relationship between pancreatitis and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome needs further study. We here report a 39-year-old Chinese woman who was diagnosed with pancreatitis followed by vision disturbance. The patient was finally diagnosed with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. On the basis of this rare case, we analyzed the causes of visual disturbance and proposed diagnostic ideas.ConclusionsFor posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, early identification and treatment of the primary disease are particularly important. Imaging and clinical characteristics in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome are usually reversible.

Analysis the Deficiency of China's Maternity Leave System Between China and the United States

Abstract: This paper compares the welfare system of China and the United States, the welfare content for both genders, aims of policy and policy effects. The comparison results show that the laws and regulations of China's maternity leave system are more unified. Second, there is a significant lack of parental leave for parents to support and care for their children. Third, the incidence of postpartum depression among Chinese women is increasing from year to year and is more common than that in the United States. Among the four comparative indicators, the two countries only show a more obvious consistency in the legislative objectives of the birth policy. This paper suggests that China should draw lessons from the unpaid maternity leave of the US federal government and appropriately improve the welfare level while maintaining the paid maternity leave policy. The maternity leave time of female workers should be extended. Male workers should enjoy father leave. In addition, new future government policies will need to include a mandatory requirement, requiring that parents have to exercise their respective powers to take parental leave and family leave. If the holiday cannot be used up before employees return to work, the surplus ought to be left for future use. In this way, employment equity and gender equality will be improved to a great extent.

Asthma and eye diseases in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: A comprehensive analysis of CHARLS data.

With China's aging population, the incidence of eye diseases is increasing, leading to urgent concerns about visual impairment and blindness. The cause-and-effect relationship between asthma and eye diseases in the Chinese population remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the link between asthma and eye-related diseases, including cataracts and glaucoma, among Chinese adults. This study utilized data from the 4th wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey conducted in 2018, involving 19,816 Chinese participants. We first described baseline characteristics, then constructed 5 logistic regression models to study the relationship between asthma and eye diseases in the Chinese context. Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed with selected variables. Across 5 models adjusting for covariates, we found that asthma was significantly associated with cataracts (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 1.36 [1.01-1.79], P = .034) and glaucoma (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 1.92 [1.46-2.49], P < .001). Subgroup analyses revealed that Chinese women, former smokers, or drinkers were at higher risk of developing cataracts (all P < .001), while those aged ≤ 60 years were at higher risk of developing glaucoma (P < .001). Our study provides possible observational evidence linking asthma to cataracts, glaucoma, and visual impairment in the Chinese population. These findings are crucial for disease prevention strategies in China's healthcare system.

Chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons alters skin virome composition and virus-host interactions.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted air influences the composition of the skin microbiome, which in turn is associated with altered skin phenotypes. However, the interactions between PAH exposure and viromes are unclear. This study aims to elucidate how PAH exposure affects the composition and function of skin viruses, their role in shaping the metabolism of bacterial hosts, and the subsequent effects on skin phenotype. We analyzed metagenomes from cheek skin swabs collected from 124 Chinese women in our previous study and found that the viruses associated with the two microbiome cutotypes had distinct diversities, compositions, functions, and lifestyles following PAH exposure. Moreover, exposure to high concentrations of PAHs substantially increased interactions between viruses and certain biodegrading bacteria. Under high-PAH exposure, the viruses were enriched in xenobiotic degradation functions, and there was evidence suggesting that the insertion of bacteriophage-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes into hosts aids biodegradation. Under low-PAH exposure conditions, the interactions followed the "Piggyback-the-Winner" model, with Cutibacterium acnes being "winners," whereas under high-PAH exposure, they followed the "Piggyback-the-Persistent" model, with biodegradation bacteria being "persistent." These findings highlight the impact of air pollutants on skin bacteria and viruses, their interactions, and their modulation of skin health. Understanding these intricate relationships could provide insights for developing targeted strategies to maintain skin health in polluted environments, emphasizing the importance of mitigating pollutant exposure and harnessing the potential of viruses to help counteract the adverse effects.

Post-marketing study design to evaluate the effectiveness of the 9-valent and 4-valent HPV vaccines on serious HPV-related cervical disease in China.

The 4-valent (4 v) and 9-valent (9 v) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are approved in China for females aged 9-45 years. However, the real-world impact of 4vHPV or 9vHPV vaccination for the prevention of high-grade cervical disease in Chinese women is lacking. Two post-marketing surveillance studies will be conducted to measure the occurrence of high-grade cervical lesions in Chinese women who had received ≥1 dose of the 4vHPV (aged 20-45 years) or 9vHPV (aged 16-26 years) vaccine in Ningbo, China. Vaccination data will be extracted from the Ningbo Regional Health Information Platform (NRHIP) from the date of the first 4vHPV (January 9, 2018) or the first 9vHPV (January 25, 2019) vaccination to March 31, 2021. The primary 4vHPV and 9vHPV vaccinated cohorts will include women vaccinated per protocol. The 4vHPV/9vHPV vaccinated test-negative (cervical HPV negative; ThinPrep cytology test negative) and corresponding matched unvaccinated HPV test-negative sub-cohorts will also be assessed. Outcomes will be the occurrence of new-onset cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3, adenocarcinoma in situ, and invasive cervical cancer. This study aims to demonstrate that such a methodological approach is feasible and can be used to assess the impact of HPV vaccination in other regions across China.

Who dominates? Multiple constructions of women's subjective social status and their cohort dynamics in transitional China

The way women construct their subjective social status has garnered significant attention. However, the roles of husbands and fathers in this process have been underexplored, with even less focus on how these roles have evolved across generations. This study aims to answer two important questions against the backdrop: First, which is the most dominant factor in shaping married women's subjective social status, their own objective class or those of their husband or father? Answers to this question reveal the impacts of assortative mating and intergenerational mobility. Second, how does the construction pattern change across birth cohorts? Cohort dynamics help reflect the evolution of gender roles and family values in China. Using pooled data from the Chinese General Social Survey in 2010–2017 and the diagonal reference model, our study finds that Chinese married women previously tended to construct their own social status based on the objective class of their husbands. However, this trend is reversed for younger cohorts. Father's objective class status carries roughly the same weight as women's own, but its impact becomes moderately stronger in younger cohorts. Taken together, the above findings reveal a unique pathway of family modernization in transitional China. Married women, although increasingly independent of their spouses, still remain closely connected with their natal families.

Laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh for severe anterior and apical pelvic organ prolapse: an observational cohort study for safety and efficacy at 2-year follow-up.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) with mesh in the treatment of severe anterior and apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP) Chinese women with a 2-year follow-up. We conducted an observational cohort study. Sixty patients who presented apical (uterovaginal or vault) and anterior prolapse at stage 3 or higher were enrolled. The LLS surgical procedure was performed in accordance with Dubuisson standard operation. The objective and subjective cures as well as the surgery-related complications were evaluated. The POP-related questionnaires were used to evaluate the quality of life before operation and at 24months after operation follow-up. Objective cure rates at 2years of follow-up were 88.3% for the anterior compartment, 100% for the apical compartment and 93.3% for the posterior compartment. The subjective cure rate reached to 93.3%. There were statistically significant lower scores of thepelvic floor impact questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7) and the pelvic floor distress inventory-short form-20 (PFDI-20)for all women after surgery and they exhibited similar scores of the pelvic organ prolapsed-urinary incontinence sexual questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12) (P = 0.317). And no significant difference was demonstrated in international consultation on the incontinent questionnaire short form (ICI-Q-SF) (P = 0.551). No major complications associated with LLS were observed in our study. We consider that LLS with mesh operation is safe, feasible and effective to correct severe apical and anterior POP after 2-year follow-up.

No boy in lady’s room: How China’s radical digital feminists alienate themselves from mothers, girls, and gays

ABSTRACT This article employs semi-structured interviews with 57 Chinese women rallying behind the Weibo hashtag #NoBoyInLady’sRoom to explore their discursive strategies in defending women-only public spaces and their registration of antagonism toward China’s son-preferential gender norms. Distilling and discussing the three main discursive strategies adopted by these self-identified feminists to make sense of their collective motivation behind the bathroom crusade, this article finds streaks of exclusivity and alienation of Chinese digital feminism that target not only men but also mothers, girls, and queer people in the pursuit of a fundamentalist cause. Relying on the understanding of the contemporary state-platform dynamic in China as well as the historical legacy of China’s socialist women’s movement, this article further critically inquires into the politico-cultural implications of the radicalizing tendency of Chinese digital feminism and proposes a more communicative as well as inclusive approach to the grassroots solidarity of anti-patriarchy forces in authoritarian China.

Adult-Onset Female Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis with Nephrotic Syndrome Caused by a TBC1D8B Variant: a Case Report

Abstract We report the case of a 49-year-old Chinese woman with nephrotic syndrome, characterized by normal kidney function but poor response to hormonal and immunosuppressive therapy, indicative of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Through renal biopsy, the patient was diagnosed as FSGS (perihilar type), and subsequent whole exome sequencing (WES) identified a pathogenic frameshift variant concerning the TBC domain of the TBC1D8B gene. This patient represents the first late-onset Chinese female who was found to carry a novel, pathogenic variant in the gene TBC1D8B.

Validation of the 2019 American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Online Cervical Cancer Screening Program via 9 Large-Cohort Data of Chinese Women.

The aim of the study is to validate the applicability and performance of the 2019 US risk-based guideline for Chinese women. We analyzed 10,055 cases with data on human papillomavirus testing, cytology, and pathologically confirmed diagnosis (analysis-set). According to the 2019 US risk-based guideline, we recorded the risk value and triage recommendations for each case. Then, we assessed the concordance of the guideline triage recommendations with pathology diagnosis for the relevant case from the real-world projects. Among the analysis-set, 9,495 cases with an estimated risk value were identified as analysis cohort while the remaining 560 cases were cataloged as "special cases." Among the analysis cohort, 960 and 526 cases were pathologically confirmed as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ and CIN3+, respectively. The US risk-based guideline recommended colposcopy or more aggressive interventions (Colp+) for 86.8% (833/960) of the CIN2+ and 95.8% (504/526) of the CIN3+ cases, with 87.1% sensitivity and 82.5% specificity for CIN3+ cases (AUC = 0.926, p < .0001). The US risk-based recommended no-Colp for 98.0% (6,142/6,269) of the pathologically confirmed CIN1 or benign cases. In addition, 97.3% (545/560) of the "special cases" cases were recommended as Colp+. The 2019 US risk-based guideline works well with satisfied clinical sensitivity for CIN2+ and CIN3+ and seems applicable for cervical cancer screening in China.

Choline and betaine intakes during pregnancy in relation to risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among Chinese women.

Previous animal studies found beneficial effects of choline and betaine on maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy, but few human studies explored theassociation between choline or betaine intake and incident gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to explore thecorrelation of dietary choline or betaine intake with GDM risk among Chinese pregnant women. A total of 168 pregnant women with GDM cases and 375 healthy controls were enrolled at the Seventh People's Hospital in Shanghai during their GDM screening at 24-28 gestational weeks. A validated semi-quantitative FFQ was used to estimate choline and betaine consumption through face-to-face interviews. An unconditional logistic regression model was adopted to examine OR and 95 % CI. Compared with the controls, those women with GDM incidence were likely to have higher pre-pregnancy BMI, be older, have more parities and have higher plasma TAG and lower plasma HDL-cholesterol. No significant correlation was observed between the consumption of choline or betaine and incident GDM (adjusted OR (95 % CI), 0·77 (0·41, 1·43) for choline; 0·80 (0·42, 1·52) for betaine). However, there was a significant interaction between betaine intake and parity on therisk of GDM (Pfor interaction = 0·01). Among those women with no parity history, there was a significantly inverse correlation between betaine intake and GDM risk (adjusted OR (95 % CI), 0·25 (0·06, 0·81)). These findings indicated that higher dietary betaine intake during pregnancy might be considered a protective factor for GDM among Chinese women with no parity history.

Case report: Advanced breast cancer with scalp metastases: a report of two cases

BackgroundBreast cancer, identified as the most prevalent cancer worldwide, presents considerable difficulties in advanced stages, especially when involving metastatic spread. Scalp metastasis from breast cancer represents a rare and insufficiently explored occurrence. This paper seeks to illuminate this uncommon manifestation by presenting two cases of scalp metastatic breast cancer in Chinese women.Case reportCase 1: A 45-year-old Chinese woman with a history of invasive ductal carcinoma presented with a scalp lesion indicative of recurrence. Concurrently, she was diagnosed with bone metastases and recurrence at the original site. Despite undergoing various treatments, including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, her condition worsened, ultimately leading to her passing. Case 2: A 40-year-old Chinese woman was initially diagnosed with bilateral breast invasive mucinous carcinoma presenting with bilateral breast masses and a scalp lesion. She also had multiple bone metastases. Following chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, her disease stabilized.ConclusionThese cases of scalp metastatic breast cancer underscore the complexities involved in managing advanced stages of the disease, especially with rare metastatic manifestations. They highlight the importance of comprehensive diagnostic methods, encompassing full-body skin evaluations, and draw attention to the socioeconomic challenges faced in cancer treatment. These findings point to the necessity for more targeted research on uncommon metastatic forms in breast cancer aiming to enhance patient outcomes and refine management approaches.

How do Chinese young adult women initiate smoking and progress to become regular smokers? A qualitative study

ABSTRACT Objective The increasing prevalence of smoking among young adult women in China raises concerns about the associated health risks. This study aims to investigate the trajectory of smoking and its influencing factors among Chinese young adult women in order to gain a comprehensive understanding and reduce the prevalence of smoking. Methods Using purposive sampling, one-on-one interviews were conducted with 28 young female smokers aged 20–31 years between May 2022 and September 2022. Results The findings revealed that the trajectory of smoking among Chinese young adult women is divided into three stages: smoking initiation, maintenance of smoking, and becoming addicted to smoking. Participants were initially attracted to smoking due to factors such as the taste of tobacco, peer influence, stress in interpersonal interactions, and cigarettes marketed for women. As smoking behavior progressed, participants mentioned motivations including relieving negative emotions, experiencing relaxation and pleasure, shaping their personal image, and confronting discrimination and prejudice. Eventually, when they became addicted to smoking, the physical dependence on nicotine and the smoking habit prevented them from stopping. Conclusions Understanding the influence of these factors on women’s smoking behaviors is crucial for informing tobacco control policies and reducing tobacco use among women.

“She” power: role transition and self-empowerment of women in rural tourism

It is widely believed that participation in tourism empowers women, particularly by providing direct employment and income generation. However, this perspective frequently overlooks women’s agency and self-actualization. This study examines the Tingsong Cultural Community (TCC) in northeast China, integrating self-empowerment with role theory to focus on female participation in tourism. Utilizing multiple data collection strategies, both primary and secondary data were gathered between July 2019 and December 2022. Through inductive thematic analysis, the research unpacks the role transitions of Chinese rural women within tourism practices and the dynamics of self-empowerment. The findings reveal that: (1) role transition is a dynamic process involving exploration, identification, and obligation, marked by an enhanced sense of self-empowerment; (2) self-empowerment arises from awareness and interaction, benefiting from economic, cultural, and subjective dimensions; and (3) external support is essential for empowerment, ideally starting with vulnerable individuals to allow self-empowerment to develop organically. This study refines the concepts of role theory and self-empowerment while establishing the relationship between rural women’s role transitions and self-empowerment, contributing to existing knowledge. The practical implications related to external investment, endogenous development, and digital engagement are insightful for the sustainability of similar destinations.

Community Archives as Agency: Intersectionality as a Framework to Document Chinese American Experiences in the United States

The U.S. has a history of anti-immigrant and anti-Asian. Asian Americans strive for agency in defining their identities. Intertwined with their history of exclusion is the absence and misrepresentation of Asian Americans in archives. In this dissertation, I first explore Chinese Americans’ understanding of their identity and its reflection of social inequality. Then, I investigate what they want to preserve to document their history to counter injustice. Lastly, I examine how Chinese Americans want to use community archives to enhance agency and fight against social injustice. I use interviews, workshops, and ethnographic methods to collect conversations with 17 participants who self-identify as Chinese descendants in the U.S. My dissertation finds that participants’ racial and ethnic identities shape their experiences of discrimination, pressure to assimilate to White society, a lack of belonging, and difficulty fitting into the Asian American Pacific Islander group. Furthermore, gender identity influences their experiences. For example, Chinese American women often face social expectations to prioritize family over themselves. Alongside unjust experiences, community members share lived experiences of resilience, joy, and achievements. My dissertation proposes intersectionality as a framework to understand the representational value of community archives. The intersectionality framework asserts, “it is not enough to simply ‘add race and stir’” (Smooth, 2013). My dissertation finds that participants challenge a thing-oriented approach that prioritizes preservation alone. Instead, they prefer an engagement-oriented approach that uses archives to transform counter-stories into agency, specifically into what Yosso (2005) calls cultural wealth, such as aspirational and social capital.

Characteristics associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in mid aged and older Chinese men and women: a cross-sectional analysis of the first wave of WHO SAGE China.

Adequate fruit and vegetable consumption is essential for healthy ageing and prevention and management of chronic disease. This study aimed to examine characteristics associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in Chinese men and women aged 50 years and over. Data from the first wave of the Chinese cohort (2008-2010) of the WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) survey was used. Fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed by self-reported typical consumption in serves/day. Characteristics examined were age, education, financial security, home ownership, marital status, social cohesion and rural location. Associations with fruit and vegetable consumption were assessed using multiple linear regression adjusted for confounders and stratified by sex. Overall, women consumed more serves of fruit per day than men (mean (standard deviation): 2·6 (2·2) and 2·2 (2·1) serves/day, respectively) whereas men consumed more serves of vegetables than women (7·2 (4·0) and 6·7 (3·7)). Lower fruit consumption was associated with lower education, lower social participation, income insecurity, renting, being un-partnered and rural residency in men and women, as well as older age in women. Lower vegetable consumption was associated with older age, lower education and urban residency in men and women and lower social participation in men and being unpartnered in women. This study has identified characteristics associated with fruit and vegetable intake in a sample of mid aged and older Chinese men and women. Further research on the interrelationships between these characteristics and fruit and vegetable intake as well as longitudinal relationships is warranted.