Social exclusion and health among older Chinese in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Social exclusion is an important determinant of health. However, little is known about the relationship between social exclusion and health in older adults. To address this gap, this study examined the characteristics of social exclusion and relationships to the health status among 419 Chinese adults aged 60 and older from three communities in Shanghai, China. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the relationship between social exclusion and health status varied according to the type of exclusion (material, social, civic, service and neighbourhood) and health variables. Multiple exclusion was significantly associated with chronic illness, depression and low-life satisfaction.

Keywords:

• Social exclusion
• multiple exclusion
• mental health
• well-being
• Chinese

Notes

1. Hu Kou refers to a permanent residence officially registered by local government and shown in one’s household registration record (戶籍本).

2. In 2012, Shanghai’s average per capita GDP was 13434.75USD (2012 Shanghai Statistical Yearbook, 2013). Among the nine centre districts, the average per capita GDP of Jing An, Pu Dong and Yang Pu was 38,463.44USD (No.1), 18,187.60USD (No. 3) and 14,059.17USD (No. 6), respectively.