Socioeconomic differentials in mortality among the oldest old in China

Haiyan Zhu, Yu Xie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although an inverse relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and mortality has been well documented for many populations throughout the world, it remains unclear whether this relationship holds true for the oldest old. Most notably, some scholars have suggested that the relationship may disappear at the oldest ages. Using data from the 1998, 2000, and 2002 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, this study examined the relationship between SES and mortality among the oldest old (80 years and older) population in China. The results show the continuing prevalence of SES differentials in mortality - higher SES is significantly associated with lower mortality risks - among the oldest old in China. The authors further show that the relationship holds regardless of how the oldest old are operationalized (as 80 years and older, 90 years and older, or 100 years and older).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)125-143
Number of pages19
JournalResearch on Aging
Volume29
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2007
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Social Psychology
  • Health(social science)
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

Keywords

  • China
  • Mortality
  • Oldest old
  • Socioeconomic status

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