Reproductive behaviour and longevity: Evidence from Chinese centenarians

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Demography
• Public Health

Background:

• The implementation of China's three-child policy has reignited discussions on fertility, health, and longevity amidst a growing aging population.
• Understanding the relationship between reproductive behavior and lifespan is crucial for public health policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between reproductive behavior and longevity in older Chinese men and women.
• To provide insights for fertility and supporting policies considering health outcomes in later life.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) spanning 2014-2018.
• Analyzed a cohort of 1428 deceased older individuals, including 421 centenarians and 1007 non-centenarians.
• Employed multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between fertility indicators and longevity.

Main Results:

• Centenarian women had significantly fewer children, sons, and daughters compared to non-centenarians.
• Centenarian men had more children and daughters, but fewer sons.
• Both centenarian men and women exhibited significantly later ages at first and last birth.

Conclusions:

• Fertility patterns are distinct between centenarian men and women, suggesting gender-specific associations with extreme longevity.
• Later age at first and last birth is a significant characteristic of centenarians.
• Policies should consider the intricate links between fertility, reproductive timing, and health outcomes in later life, advocating for increased fertility without compromising individual well-being.