Rural–Urban Inequalities in Poor Self-Rated Health, Self-Reported Functional Disabilities, and Depression among Chinese Older Adults: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011 and 2015

The household registration system (Hukou) in China classifies persons into rural or urban citizens and determines eligibility for state-provided services welfare. Not taking actual residence account may underestimate rural–urban differences. This study investigates inequalities self-reported health outcomes among older adults aged 60+, both Hukou residence, adjusting sociodemographic determinants, based on the Health Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011 2015. Self-Rated (SRH) was assessed with a single question, functional abilities were Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADLs) Instrumental (IADLs) scales, depression 10-item version Center Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Rural respondents had poorer socioeconomic status higher prevalence poor SRH, disabilities, than years, which closely related to differences educational level income. Impairments appeared at younger age respondents. Analyses using only not resulted underestimation serve as basis interventions address social reduce Chinese adults.