The Prevalence of Chronic Diseases Among Older Chinese Adults in the Past 2 Decades: A Study Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, 2002‒2022.

This article analyzes the prevalence and trends of six major chronic diseases—hypertension, lung disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and heart disease—among Chinese adults aged 65 and older using data from five waves (2002–2022) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Findings indicate that hypertension was the most prevalent condition, reaching 45.27% in 2018, while cancer showed the fastest increase in prevalence during 2008–2018. The study observed a decrease in most chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2018–2022), likely due to disruptions in healthcare access and screening. Significant disparities in disease prevalence were found across age groups, gender, rural versus urban residence, and regions, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions tailored to specific populations and diseases within China’s rapidly aging society.