Chronic diseases and catastrophic health expenditures in elderly Chinese households: a cohort study

Both single and multiple chronic diseases significantly increase the risk of catastrophic health expenditure among elderly households in China, and the existing basic medical insurance coverage has not effectively alleviated this burden. The findings highlight the urgent need for improving social health insurance programs, as well as conducting differentiated financial protection strategies for elderly individuals with different chronic disease statuses to reduce the financial vulnerability of elderly households with chronic diseases.