Multidimensional health groups and healthcare utilization among elderly Chinese: Based on the 2014 CLHLS dataset

Based on multidimensional health, we aimed to identify health groups among the elderly Chinese population, and examine its relationship with socio-demographic factors on healthcare utilization. Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey in 2014 was adopted. For 2981 participants aged ≥65 years, without missing any health indicators, latent class analysis was adopted to identify health groups. For 1974 participants with complete information, the two-part model was used to assess how health groups and socio-demographic characteristics influence the outpatient and inpatient expenditure. Four health groups were identified and labeled as “Lacking Socialization” (10.4%), “High Comorbidity” (16.7%), “Severe Disability” (7.8%), and “Relative Health” (65.1%). Compared with the relative health group, the lacking socialization group cost higher inpatient expenditure (p = 0.02). Those in the high comorbidity and severe disability groups were more likely to use healthcare services and cost higher outpatient expenditure (p < 0.01 for all). The effects of socio-demographic factors were also discussed. The findings enhanced our understanding of the heterogeneity of multidimensional health status and complex healthcare demands in the elderly Chinese population. Moreover, it is valuable for improving the allocation of healthcare resource targeted for different groups of the ageing population.