Objective : This paper is aiming at a contribution to the debate on how to make health-care services in China more responsive to the needs of the elderly.
Methods : We performed a health survey of elderly Chinese aged 65 years and above living in Tianjin. A questionnaire concerning physical, mental, socioeconomic factors was distributed to 191 people. Logistic regression analysis was then used to analyze the data in order to evaluate the relationship of outpatient medical care costs to lifestyle and fitness level.
Results : Multivariate analysis suggested that, dietary habits [reference : not, odds ratio=1.96 (paying attention to dietary balance) 95% confidence interval=1.02-3.76], self-perceived health [reference : not, OR=0.30 (fairly healthy) 95% CI=0.12-0.57], level of insurance [reference : uninsured, OR=3.81 (insured), 95% CI=1.22-11.9], and walking speed (OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.18-2.41) were closely related to a reduction in consultation behavior.
Conclusion : This study revealed the complexities of the situation coupled with the impact of class on the participation in medical insurance services. China needs urgent improvement in its legal system, and education strategies, prevention activities, and health delivery methods for the whole population, particularly groups that are hard to reach and stratified health message delivery.
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