Page 93 - IJPS-11-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Health disparities and older adults well-being in China

1.1. Health of older adults and their socioeconomic Health, as a relatively abstract concept, proves
status in China challenging to measure using a single indicator. Instead,
Over the past 30 years, China has boasted an abundant and a comprehensive assessment requires consideration of
relatively inexpensive labor force, attracting foreign capital multiple dimensions. Within the declared Constitution of
and achieving remarkable economic prosperity with an the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as
average annual growth rate of 8%. However, a notable “side a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being,
effect” of this economic development, combined with strict rather than merely the absence of disease or infirmity –
population policies, is the shrinking of family sizes and the a definition staunchly upheld by the international health
transformation of family structures into what is known as agency to this day (United Nations, 1956). In this study,
the 4-2-1 family model that consisting of four older persons, based on the WHO’s definition of health, we aim to
two middle-aged persons, and only one child. In recent years, evaluate the health status of the older people from three
a substantial portion of the labor force has started to retire, different perspectives: physical health, mental health, and
placing a heavy burden on one-child families to support the cognitive health. Through a literature survey of micro-level
older people. The traditional intergenerational support model data, we identify measurement indicators corresponding to
of the family is no longer suitable for China’s modern society each aspect of older ages health. Furthermore, these three
due to industrialization and urbanization. Furthermore, the health indicators are not independent of each other; rather,
slow construction of the social security system in the rapidly they are correlated. For example, the older adults who are
aging society, coupled with low and unequal social welfare not healthy or experience difficulty in daily life are prone
coverage, struggles to meet the demands of the large old-age to psychological distress and even depression. Similarly,
population for medical resources and long-term care. Jiang & those who face difficulties in physical movement or often
Sanchez-Barricarte (2011) figure out that as the proportion of feel depressed are at greater risk of suffering from dementia
the older-aged is projected to rapidly increase to 25% by 2050, and struggling to adapt well to daily life in society.
according to UN projections, the 4-2-1 family structure could While reviewing the literature on the health of older-
strain the social security system. Concerns regarding the aged in China, it becomes apparent that the focus has
difficult post-retirement live of older persons weigh not only predominantly been on physical and mental health, with
on the older-aged individuals themselves and their families insufficient attention given to cognitive health. According
but also on society as a whole, fostering feelings of stress and to the census data, China is expected to have approximately
helplessness about the uncertain future. 300 million older people over the age of 60 by 2025, most

Because physical abilities for daily activities decline of whom were born before 1965 and have experienced
with age that is easier for the older adults to fall into an the Cultural Revolution (1966 – 1976) without receiving
unhealthy state (Harman, 1981; McAuley et al., 2000; adequate education. The number of people with dementia
Milanović et al., 2013). The ability of the older ages to increases with age, and China has a very big population.
care for themselves in daily life is an important criterion In the context of declining birth rates and a long-term
for determining their quality of life. Only a healthy and economic recession, the care of the older ages with
prolonged life can guarantee a high quality of life. If older dementia poses a heavy burden on government finances
adults lose the ability to care for themselves, they not only and family expenditures. Therefore, in discussing the
experience personal discomfort but also impose financial health of old-age, we believe that adding cognitive health
burdens on their families. Moreover, a rapid increase in to physical and mental health is necessary. In view of this
disabled or demented older ages could potentially collapse point, the current study aims to fill this gap and provide
the social security system. Therefore, maintaining the reference points for policymakers.
health of the older people not only preserves their quality As individuals age, not only does the absolute trend in
of life but also minimizes their dependence on family the health of the older adults change but also the health
and social care systems, thereby reducing the demand indicators vary among individuals within the same age
for medical and health-care resources. Moreover, healthy groups due to differing socioeconomic statuses. Black et al.
older adults can activity participate in family and societal (1980) mentioned the presence of health disparities and
activities, helping to address the labor gap in an aging stratification among groups of different socioeconomic
society. Consequently, the health status of the old-age is the status, with those of higher socioeconomic status typically
key to mitigate the risk associated with an aging society. exhibiting better health status. Subsequent abundant
Addressing these risks can eliminate the potential financial empirical studies have consistently demonstrated the
threats posed by the unexpected future of a super-aging positive impact of socioeconomic status on health
society. Therefore, the health of the older people emerges (Williams, 1990; Link & Phelan, 1995; Chen & Miller,
as one of the important issues in Chinese society. 2013). Moreover, Lynch et al. (1994) argue that

Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 87 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2035