Unraveling the Early-Life Influences on Healthy Aging: Insights From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

ObjectiveTo examine the association between early-life circumstances and healthy aging among community-dwelling older Chinese adults.MethodsData were from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. We used regression methods to identify independent and joint associations of six early-life factors with healthy aging as assessed by the Chinese Healthy Aging Index (CHAI; 0-12), a composite score evaluating six physiological systems.ResultsOf 3,069 participants, 4.82% had the healthiest CHAI score (0-2). After multivariable adjustment, personal education and family economic status were associated with healthier CHAI individually; the cumulative early-life score was associated with the CHAI, both dichotomously and continuously. Each additional score was associated with 37% (95% CI: 23%, 53%) higher odds of being in the healthiest CHAI category.DiscussionFavorable early-life socioeconomic conditions support healthier aging among Chinese older adults, highlighting the need to address early-life inequalities to promote healthy aging.