Abstract
Background
The Chinese government has adopted the WHO healthy ageing framework to guide the development
of services and initiatives to promote older people's health.
Aim
To examine the rural-urban disparities within the WHO healthy ageing domains of functional
ability.
Methods
A secondary data analysis was conducted using a nationally representative survey from
China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
Results
A total number of 10,746 older people were included, with the mean age of 69.10 years
(SD = 7.15). More than 70% of older people lived in rural areas. Significant differences
existed in all five domains of functional ability between rural and urban-dwelling
older people, particularly in their ability to meet basic needs and in achieving psychosocial
wellbeing. Urban respondents reported better self-perceived health status (2.95 ±
0.97) and had less functional difficulties. Rural respondents were more likely to
have difficulties in making decisions for grocery shopping, taking medications and
in managing finances (p < 0.001). Older people in urban areas were more supported with health insurance (97.4%)
and retirement pension (57.3%) than rural residents, where only 554 (7.1%) received
retirement pension (p < 0.001). In terms of contributing to society, urban respondents were more likely
to participate in voluntary work, providing assistance to others, and were caregivers
of individuals with disabilities than rural respondents (all p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The rural-urban disparities in healthy ageing were prevalent in China. Further research
and consideration toward health resource reallocation are needed to improve functional
abilities of older people in rural areas.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 08, 2022
Accepted:
June 22,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 9,
2022
Received:
April 26,
2022
Identification
Copyright
Crown Copyright © 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian College of Nursing Ltd.
