CHINA: Why Do Older Chinese Face Higher Death Rates in Rural Areas?

WASHINGTON, DC (PRB News), February 16, 2008: Death rates for Chinese ages 50 and older are about 30 percent higher in rural areas than urban ones. Why are rural Chinese at such a disadvantage? According to an article in the Journal of Gerontology, cadre status, which is more common in urban areas, is a powerful determinant of mortality. Chinese adults who are cadres, or public officials who hold responsible or managerial positions in the party and government, had a significantly lower risk of death, according to the article's findings. Toshiko Kaneda, a policy analyst at PRB, was one of the authors of the study. Read the PRB article Source: Population Reference Bureau