The Impact of Economic Accessibility of Healthcare Services on the Health of Elderly Individuals in China

Abstract

China is entering an aging society. An aging society will create a huge demand for healthcare services and increase healthcare costs for the entire society. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the factors that influence the health of the elderly. This study uses a sample from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and employs a panel fixed-effects regression model to examine the impact of economic accessibility to healthcare services on the health of the elderly. The empirical results show that the economic accessibility of healthcare services has a significant impact on the health of the elderly. The results of the mechanism analysis indicate that this effect is primarily driven by the increased likelihood of exercise among the elderly due to improved healthcare accessibility. The impact is more pronounced among women, suggesting a greater sensitivity of their mental health to healthcare accessibility. Additionally, while the effects are slightly stronger for those aged 80 and above, the differences across age groups are relatively small, indicating consistent benefits across cohorts. These findings highlight the critical role of economic accessibility in promoting the well-being of the elderly. Healthcare policies should focus on reducing the economic burden of medical expenses for the elderly.