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Disability-Free Life Expectancy and Its Drivers Among Adults Aged 60 and Above - China, 2018 and 2023
Yuqing Feng1,2, Zhiwen Miao3, Yue Cai3
1State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
China CDC Weekly
|January 16, 2026
Summary
Disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) improved from 2018 to 2023, with the urban-rural gap narrowing. Public health strategies must address regional disparities, especially in western China.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) is a key indicator for older adults' quality of life.
- Previous studies often aggregated data, masking crucial spatial variations in DFLE trends and determinants.
- Limited data availability has historically hindered fine-grained spatial analyses of DFLE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze temporal trends and spatial heterogeneity of DFLE across different regions, age groups, and urban-rural contexts in China.
- To identify key determinants influencing DFLE variations.
- To inform targeted public health interventions for improving healthy aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized national-level data to examine DFLE changes between 2018 and 2023.
- Employed spatial analysis techniques to assess regional disparities.
- Conducted regression analyses to identify determinants of DFLE.
Main Results:
- DFLE showed an overall increase from 2018 to 2023, with a narrowing urban-rural gap.
- Improvement in DFLE was slower in the western region compared to other areas.
- Determinants of DFLE exhibited significant variation based on geographic region, age, and urban-rural setting.
Conclusions:
- Public health strategies need to be context-specific, addressing urban and rural differences.
- Strengthening healthcare access, social security, and climate-adaptive infrastructure is crucial.
- Special attention and resources should be directed towards rural areas in western China to mitigate health disparities.
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