The impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in China

Abstract This study investigates the health status of China’s elderly population, emphasizing the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and the mediating role of exercise frequency. Using data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) and an ordered logistic regression model, SES is asses...

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Main Authors: Qu Meixia, Rajendra Baikady, Isahaque Ali, Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh, Azlinda Azman, Muhammed Kabir Uddin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-01-01
Series:Discover Global Society
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44282-025-00138-z
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author Qu Meixia
Rajendra Baikady
Isahaque Ali
Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh
Azlinda Azman
Muhammed Kabir Uddin
author_facet Qu Meixia
Rajendra Baikady
Isahaque Ali
Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh
Azlinda Azman
Muhammed Kabir Uddin
author_sort Qu Meixia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates the health status of China’s elderly population, emphasizing the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and the mediating role of exercise frequency. Using data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) and an ordered logistic regression model, SES is assessed through income, education, social class, and social insurance. The findings reveal that income, education, and social class positively correlate with health outcomes, with income showing a slightly stronger impact on women. Urban elderly populations particularly benefit from higher education and social class, while the effects of medical and pension insurance are mixed, suggesting that insured individuals often have pre-existing health issues. Exercise frequency yielded limited effectiveness in improving health for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Gender and marital status also influenced outcomes: men reported better health than women, and marriage positively affected rural but not urban elderly individuals. These results highlight the critical role of socioeconomic factors in shaping elderly health and underscore the need for policies addressing urban–rural gaps and improving socioeconomic conditions to enhance overall health in this demographic.
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series Discover Global Society
spelling doaj-art-e52ff1a6ecd44f718cf761a18f03a1832025-01-12T12:13:21ZengSpringerDiscover Global Society2731-96872025-01-013111710.1007/s44282-025-00138-zThe impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in ChinaQu Meixia0Rajendra Baikady1Isahaque Ali2Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh3Azlinda Azman4Muhammed Kabir Uddin5School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains MalaysiaDepartment of Social Work, Central University of KeralaSchool of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains MalaysiaSchool of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains MalaysiaSchool of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains MalaysiaMinistry of Primary and Mass EducationAbstract This study investigates the health status of China’s elderly population, emphasizing the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and the mediating role of exercise frequency. Using data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) and an ordered logistic regression model, SES is assessed through income, education, social class, and social insurance. The findings reveal that income, education, and social class positively correlate with health outcomes, with income showing a slightly stronger impact on women. Urban elderly populations particularly benefit from higher education and social class, while the effects of medical and pension insurance are mixed, suggesting that insured individuals often have pre-existing health issues. Exercise frequency yielded limited effectiveness in improving health for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Gender and marital status also influenced outcomes: men reported better health than women, and marriage positively affected rural but not urban elderly individuals. These results highlight the critical role of socioeconomic factors in shaping elderly health and underscore the need for policies addressing urban–rural gaps and improving socioeconomic conditions to enhance overall health in this demographic.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44282-025-00138-zSocioeconomic statusSelf-assessed healthPsychological healthPhysical healthElderly individuals
spellingShingle Qu Meixia
Rajendra Baikady
Isahaque Ali
Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh
Azlinda Azman
Muhammed Kabir Uddin
The impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in China
Discover Global Society
Socioeconomic status
Self-assessed health
Psychological health
Physical health
Elderly individuals
title The impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in China
title_full The impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in China
title_fullStr The impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in China
title_full_unstemmed The impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in China
title_short The impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in China
title_sort impact of socioeconomic status on the health of elderly individuals in china
topic Socioeconomic status
Self-assessed health
Psychological health
Physical health
Elderly individuals
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44282-025-00138-z
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