An Analysis On The Health Status Of The Elderly In China

With the extension of life expectancy and the development of population ageing, study on the elderly is becoming more and more important. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics and physical status of the China’s elderly in2010based on China’s6th National Population Census and the2005National1%Population Sample Survey, then give some policy recommendations on health promotion。The result showed that:1. the China’s elderly size is178million, count for more than13%of the population in2010; younger elderly has the highest share, which accounted for56%, while the ratio of the oldest old rose steadily, meanwhile,the sex ratio of the elderly is much low; the distribution of elderly in region and rural-urban is unbalanced; the elderly has high married and widowed rate, while single and divorced rate is low;63%of them live together with their children, but empty nest and inter-generational family is increasing。2. Most of the elderly is in good physical health condition, disabled account for3%in2010, health condition has been improved compared with2005, mainly in the decrease of the disabled ratio; The physical status of the elderly in China show differences in age、sex、rural-urban and region. Specifically, man are healthier than women, health condition decline with age, urban elderly are healthier than the rural, eastern elderly are healthier than the west. Then explained the factors that caused the significant differences between elderly from the perspective of demographic and Sociology. On the basis, try to put forward some proposals on health improvement. For instance, increase the central government on the transfer payment to the west and rural areas; improve social security system; endeavor to develop commercial insurance for the aged; combine family support with social care for the elderly; construct Long-term Care system; improve social participation of the aged; expand the scope of the community service on the elderly, etc.