Analysis of the Impact of Economic Management Disparities on the Self-rated Health of Elderly People in China

Background: The elderly population in China is facing the challenge of economic management disparity between their age and income sources. This study analyzes the impact of such disparities on the self-rated health of the elderly. Methods: A stratified random cluster sampling method was used to identify a sample of 1280 elderly adults, 60 years or older, with an average age of 68.25±4.97 years. The sample was grouped based on their personal income and expenditure levels, and who participated in a health status survey. Health levels of both groups were analyzed through multiple linear regression method. Finally, the impact of economic management disparities was assessed through health status factors of the elderly. Results: Of the total sample of 1280 elderly adults, 413 participants had income greater than expenditure, 588 had balanced income and expenditure, and 279 had income less than expenditure. The SF-36 scores showed no significant difference between the income greater than expenditure group and the balanced group (P>0.05), but both groups scored higher than the income less than expenditure group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that economic factors made a profound impact on the self-health management and overall health of the elderly in China. The findings emphasized upon the need to address economic disparities and suggested to frame targeted policies to improve the health management capacity of elderly populations, especially in rural and economically disadvantaged areas.