Association Between Socioeconomic Status, Productive Aging, and Frailty Index in Urban Elderly Population in China

  Objective  To explore the impact of socioeconomic status and productive aging on the frailty index of urban elderly population in China, and to provide reference for improving their health level.

  Methods  We obtained data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and included 1890 urban elderly people aged 60 and over in the study. Multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of the productive aging and the frailty index of the urban elderly population in China. A structural equation model was constructed to explore the relationship between socioeconomic status, productive aging, and frailty index.

  Results  Elderly people with high socioeconomic status (β=0.082, P<0.001) had higher level of productive aging. Elderly people with high socioeconomic status (β=−0.091, P<0.001) and high level of productive aging (β=−0.330, P<0.001) had lower frailty index. Productive aging played an intermediary role (β=−0.259, 95% CI: −0.380-−0.181) between socioeconomic status and frailty index.

  Conclusion  The socioeconomic status and productive aging of the elderly people are important predictors of their frailty index. The government should exert its leadership functions to encourage the elderly, especially those with low education and income levels, to actively learn knowledge and skills, and to provide support for the elderly to participate in productive activities.