Decomposition Analysis of Urban-Rural Disparities in Healthy Life Expectancy Among Older Adults - China, 2010-2020.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: As China's population ages rapidly, there is growing concern about whether increases in life expectancy are accompanied by improvements in healthy longevity for older adults.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: From 2010 to 2020, healthy life expectancy expanded across different subgroups of the older population. Although urban-rural disparities in healthy life expectancy narrowed, morbidity has emerged as the primary contributor to these gaps, with the age groups driving these differences shifting toward older ages.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: As longevity increases, health inequalities are transitioning from mortality-focused to morbidity-driven. This trend underscores the need for healthcare and elder care systems to address non-fatal health conditions affecting quality of life, particularly for women and the oldest-old.