Health Inequalities in the Elderly with Different Socioeconomic Status in China

Abstract

This study aims to examine socioeconomic inequalities in health status and health service of the elderly in China to provide basis for health promotion. The data of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHRLS) in the year 2015 was used. Adults aged 60 and over (n=8001) were included in the analytic sample. Socioeconomic status (SES) of the elderly was assessed by annual per capita consumption expenditure, education, and regional and rural/ urban status. Health status was measured by self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADL), the prevalence rate of chronic diseases and the 1-month prevalence rate; while health service was measured by the utilization of both outpatient service and inpatient service. Overall, the elderly with higher economic level had better health status and higher ADL disability rate, but lower prevalence rate of chronic diseases, 1-month outpatient visit rate and annual hospitalization rate. The elderly with lower education level had higher self-rated "poor" health, ADL disability rate, 1-month prevalence rate and 1-month non-visit rate. The elderly in eastern region or urban areas had better health status than those in central and western regions or rural areas. However, for health service utilization, the elderly in western region used both outpatient and inpatient services more frequently. The rural elderly had higher 1-month outpatient visit rate, while the urban elderly had higher annual hospitalization rate. Socioeconomic inequalities in health existed in Chinese elderly. To promote health equity among the elderly, the government should improve health insurance and medical assistance policies, optimize health resources allocation, and narrow economic gaps between western and eastern regions, and between rural and urban areas.