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

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.