The Positive Impact of Community-Based Health Support on the Utilization of Preventive Healthcare Among Older Adults: An Analysis of Cross-Sectional Data From China

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the role of service support from community health centers in promoting the utilization of preventive physical examinations among older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 6461 respondents were obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Community-based health support was assessed based on whether community health centers provided physical examinations for older adults. The utilization of preventive healthcare for older adults was measured by their participation in physical examinations. A logistic regression model, propensity score matching (PSM), and doubly robust estimation were employed. RESULTS: The sample characteristics analysis presented that the majority of older adults in this study did not receive preventive physical examination services from community health centers. After adjusting for control variables and conducting robustness tests, the results showed that community-based health support is a significant and robust positive factor in enhancing the possibility of preventive healthcare utilization among Chinese older adults. Moreover, the magnitude of the association varies with the age, education, disability, and area and region of residence of older adults. CONCLUSION: The findings underscored the beneficial role of community-based health support in promoting the utilization of preventive healthcare among older adults. Healthcare policymakers should prioritize community-centered policies to promote preventive health behaviors among older adults.