Gender Differences in Familial Status, Socioeconomics, Functional Capacities and Wellbeing Among Oldest-Old Aged 80 Years and Above — China, 1998–2018

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC? Little is known about gender differences in health, family, and socioeconomics among oldest-old in China, WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This study aims to fill this knowledge gap through analyzing gender differences in familial status, socioeconomics, functional capacities, and self-reported wellbeing using the 1998, 2008–2009, and 2017–2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. We found that compared with the male oldest-old, the female oldest-old are seriously disadvantaged in familial status, socioeconomics, and capacities of activities of daily living, physical performances, cognitive function, and self-reported wellbeing. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? We discussed possible contributing reasons for our findings and strongly suggest that the female oldest-old should be prioritized higher.