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Sociodemographic and Health Profiles of the Oldest Old In China
Author(s) -
Yi Zeng,
Vaupel James W.,
Zhenyu Xiao,
Chunyuan Zhang,
Yuzhi Liu
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
population and development review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.836
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1728-4457
pISSN - 0098-7921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2002.00251.x
Subject(s) - china , disadvantaged , demography , longevity , pension , gerontology , geography , rural area , medicine , economic growth , political science , economics , sociology , archaeology , pathology , law
Unique data from a 1998 healthy longevity baseline survey provide demographic, socio‐economic, and health characteristics of the oldest old, aged 80–105, in China. This subpopu‐lation is growing rapidly and is likely to need extensive social and health services. A large majority of Chinese oldest old live with their children and rely mainly on children for financial support and care. Most Chinese oldest old had no or very little education. Ability to function independently in daily living declines rapidly and self‐rated health declines moderately across the oldest old ages. As compared to their urban counterparts, the rural oldest old have far less pension support, are significantly less educated, and are more likely to be widowed and to rely on children for support. Apart from higher rates of survival, the female oldest old in China are far more disadvantaged than the male oldest old.