Affiliations 

  • 1 School of Business, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, People's Republic of China
  • 2 Department of Business School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, People's Republic of China
  • 3 Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Malaysia
  • 4 School of Nursing, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, 271021, People's Republic of China
J Multidiscip Healthc, 2023;16:3017-3033.
PMID: 37869611 DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S426710

Abstract

PURPOSE: Given the increasing longevity of the population, the consolidation of familial structures, and the scarcity of economic resources required to sustain an aging society, the Chinese government faces a complex and urgent challenge in effectively addressing the growing needs of older adults and establishing a long-term care services system that is both sustainable and equitable.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study harnesses the comprehensive CLHLS data from 2011 to 2018 and utilizes the "Pilot Industrialization of Old-Age Service in a Market-Oriented Way" policy as a quasi-natural experiment. Employing the Difference-in-Differences (DID) method, our study aims to evaluate the impact of industrializing older adult care services on the physical and mental health outcomes of older adults in China.

RESULTS: The findings strongly indicate that the government's adoption of a market-driven fiscal approach within its policies, aimed at attracting social capital and fostering the industrialization of older adult care services, positively influences the physical and mental well-being of the aged population. Furthermore, through heterogeneity analysis, it becomes evident that the health promotion effect is particularly pronounced among older individuals living without a spouse, lacking family care from children or grandchildren, or residing in financially underdeveloped regions.

CONCLUSION: In summary, these results underscore the potential efficacy of employing financial policy instruments to facilitate the industrialization of older adult care services, thereby advancing the promotion of a society characterized by healthy aging and ensuring equitable health outcomes for older people.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.