Dongjuan Xu|Greg Arling|Kefang Wang
A cross-sectional study of self-rated health among older adults: a comparison of China and the United States
Purdue University System|Purdue University System|Shandong University
objectives used nationally representative samples china us older population investigate 1 whether factors influencing selfrated health among older chinese similar among older americans 2 whether significant crossnational difference selfrated health china usa controlling available influencing factors design crosssectional study data came 2014 health retirement study china health retirement longitudinal study conducted 2014 2015 participants final sample size totaled 8905 older adults usa 4442 older adults china outcome response variable selfrated health ordered logistic regression models conducted investigate factors influencing selfrated health among older adults results threefourths 78 older adults china reported fair poor health status almost 74 older adults usa reported excellent good good health status overall ordered logistic regression model controlling statistically sociodemographics family structure functional limitations cognition chronic conditions mental health healthrelated behaviours chinese survey respondents much likely rate health poorer us respondents odds better versus poorer health almost five times greater american older adults china or488 95 ci 406 586 older adults china living alone rated health better living spousepartner however significant difference found two living arrangements older americans contrast older adults usa living others rated health worse compared living spousepartner addition older adults activities daily living limitations poorer selfreported memory worse mental health chronic health conditions lower selfrated health countries conclusions found striking difference selfrated health china usa even controlling measures disease functional status influencing factors relative american counterparts chinese elders much likely report worse health