Health care need and utilization among China’s aged population:Data from the National Health Services Survey 1998 to 2008 / 中国卫生政策研究

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore trends in health care need and utilization among China’s aged population and provide a reference for policy-making on medical service provision for the aging population. Methods:The paper ana-lyzes prevalence, outpatient utilization, hospitalization, and medical expenses of the aging population using large comparable sample data from National Health Services Survey in 1998 , 2003 and 2008 . Results: From 1998 to 2008 , the two-week prevalence rate ranged from 29 . 0% to 43 . 2%; the prevalence rate of chronic diseases ranged from 50 . 2% to 59 . 5%; the two-week visiting rate ranged from 31 . 7% to 28 . 3%; and the hospitalization rate ranged from 7 . 9% to 13 . 8%. Conclusion:Chronic diseases have been the major health issues of the aging popula-tion. The financial burden greatly reduces the utilization of medical care among the aged population. A health system that can respond to the aged population quickly is much needed.