Socioeconomic Disparities in Disability-Free Life Expectancy and Life Expectancy Among Older Chinese Adults From a 7-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives: We examined the magnitude and determinants of socioeconomic disparities in disability-free life expectancy and life expectancy at age 65 (DFLE(65) and LE(65)) in China. Methods: Data from Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey collected during 2011–2018 (8,184 participants aged ≥65) were used. Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured by economic status (ES), and education, respectively. Multistate Markov models and microsimulations were fitted to estimate DFLE(65) and LE(65). Results: LE(65) between high- and low-ES groups differed by 2.20 years for males and 2.04 years for females. The DFLE(65) disparity in ES was 1.51 and 1.29 years for males and females, respectively. Not undergoing physical examinations, inadequate fruit/vegetable intake, and stress contributed to 35.10% and 57.36% of DFLE(65) disparity in ES, as well as 26.36% and 42.65% of LE(65) disparity for males and females, respectively. These disparities in education and ES were of a similar magnitude, while the above factors contributed little to education disparity. Conclusion: Socioeconomic disparities in DFLE(65) and LE(65) existed in China. Physical examination, fruit/vegetable intake and stress partly explained these disparities.