Bridging Healthcare and Prevention: Community-based Health Education for Improving Older Adults’ Health

This study examines the effects of community-based health education (CBHE) on the well-being of older adults in China. Using data from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), we first estimate ordinary least square (OLS) regressions to assess the association between CBHE participation and three health outcomes—self-rated health, self-rated quality of life, and anxiety. To ensure robustness, we complement our main analyses with entropy balancing, ordered logit models, propensity score matching (PSM), and alternative health indicators. Results indicate that CBHE participants report significantly better self-rated health, higher quality of life, and lower anxiety than non-participants. These benefits are most pronounced among rural residents, young-old adults (aged 65–79), and those with lower incomes. We conclude that early and targeted CBHE interventions—particularly focused on vulnerable subgroups in rural and low-income areas—are vital for improving health equity among China’s aging population.