Long-term health outcomes of migration experiences during different life stages among middle-aged and older adults in China: a retrospective study using CHARLS data

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between migration experiences during different life stages and long-term health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults. DESIGN: A retrospective study based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). SETTING: A nationally representative survey conducted in 150 county-level and 450 village-level administrative units across China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 14 753 Chinese adults aged 45 years or older who completed both the 2014 and 2020 waves of the CHARLS. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures included self-rated health, depression, cognitive function and physical disability. RESULTS: Participants were categorised into four groups based on migration timing: never experienced childhood and adulthood migration (NCMAM); childhood migration only, no adulthood migration; adulthood migration only, no childhood migration (PAMNCM) and both childhood and adulthood migration experiences (PCMAM). Compared with the NCMAM group, the PAMNCM group reported poorer self-rated health (OR=1.12, 95% CI (1.02 to 1.23), p<0.05) but demonstrated better cognitive function (B=0.34, 95% CI (0.14 to 0.55), p<0.01). In contrast, the PCMAM group exhibited a lower prevalence of depression (OR=0.80, 95% CI (0.65 to 0.99), p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Migration experiences showed complex associations with health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults. Migration during both childhood and adulthood was linked to better mental health, whereas migration limited to adulthood was associated with slightly better cognitive function despite poorer self-rated health. Policies should account for the diversity of migration backgrounds and equitably address the distinct needs of all migration status groups.