How does Education Affect the Health Level of the Elderly in China

Abstract

Based on the CHARLS database, this paper makes a comprehensive and systematic analysis of how education affects the health level of the elderly in China. The results are as follows: First, education has a significant effect on the daily behavior and mental health of the elderly. Although the ability of older people to receive new knowledge has declined, the health effect of education can inspire us to strengthen education from the very beginning, so that the next generation can improve their health in old age. Second, there are gender differences, urban-rural differences and regional differences in the effect of education on the daily behavior and mental health of the elderly. Third, by constructing the structural equation model, it is found that the effect of education on the daily behavior ability of the elderly, in addition to the direct effect, can also be improved through the mediating effect of personal economic situation, while the mediating effect of education on the mental health of the elderly is mainly produced through daily behavior habits. Although education does not have a significant direct impact on physical health, it can produce a significant mediating effect through the habits of life. In addition, the mediating effect of education on the physical health and daily behavior of the elderly is also regulated by happiness. Based on the above conclusions, in addition to developing good health behavior habits and improving the awareness of potential chronic diseases, the government should also increase the spiritual comfort for the “empty nest” elderly, establish and improve the medical and health security system, and increase the participation rate of medical insurance.