A Study on the Social Determinants of Falls among Elderly People in Chinese Communities from the Perspective of Urban-Rural Differences - Based on the CHARLS Data

Abstract

Objective: To understand the current situation of falls among community-dwelling elderly in China and analyze the influencing factors. Methods: The study was conducted on respondents aged 60 and above in the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).  X² test, t test, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of falls among the elderly. Results: A total of 10,837 respondents were included, with 53.51% being female. The incidence of falls among community-dwelling elderly in 2020 was 22.22%. Among the social determinants, education level, family per capita income, marital status, family structure, family support, social participation, and medical accessibility were all major risk factors for falls among the elderly. Conclusion: The incidence of falls among community-dwelling elderly in China is relatively high, with gender and age differences. The influencing factors include both individual physiology and social determinants. Targeted intervention measures should be taken, focusing on key populations, and comprehensive and precise intervention strategies should be adopted to effectively prevent falls among the elderly scientifically and effectively.