Effects of rural-to-urban migration on healthcare utilization of middle-aged and older adults
Evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22087448 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lu Xu (0009-0003-0179-9977, Rural Development Institute), Yingchun Chen (0000-0001-9400-0308, Rural Development Institute, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1576285-1576285 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-14 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1576285 |
| PMID | 40297022 |
| OpenAlex | W4409403014 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 46 |
Background An increasing number of middle-aged and older adults are migrating from rural to urban areas for employment, to care for their younger generation and due to old age. As these age groups move into urban areas, their healthcare service utilization are directly related to their health status and basic rights to survival. It also places higher demands on China’s healthcare service provision. Objectives This study aims to examine effects of rural-to-urban migration on healthcare utilization among middle-aged and older adults in China. Methods Panel data from Waves 3, 4, and 5 of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. We included 318 participants in the exposure group and 7,525 participants in the control group. The study employed propensity score matching (PSM) and Difference in Difference (DID) analysis. Results Difference in difference regression results showed that middle-aged and older adults reduced number of hospitalizations when they moved to a city with DID values of −0.092 ( p 0.05). Conclusion Middle-aged and older migrants who migrated to cities reduced inpatient healthcare utilization, possibly due to lower hospitalization reimbursement rates, financial burden, and lower social integration. Policies enhancing health insurance reimbursement rates for migrants, integrated community support programs, and strengthening health education to promote health equity may provide remedy
China · Difference in differences · Economic growth · Environmental health · Geography · Health care · Health equity · Longitudinal study · Political science · Propensity score matching · Public health · Reimbursement · Rural area · Demography · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies · Nursing · Gerontology
Urbanisation and health in China
Cohort Profile
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| Citations per year | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |