Education as a key determinant of health: A case study from rural Anhui, China

Introduction: Recent attention has focused on the emergence and causes of substantial health disparities between rural and urban residents in China. This study aims to identify which social determinants contribute to the poor health status of rural Chinese. Methods: Quantitative analysis (multivariate logistic regression) of survey data was utilized to determine significant social determinants of health affecting the health of adult people from the rural province of Anhui, China. Diagnosis of chronic diseases was the main measure of health used as the outcome variable. Predictor variables included in the statistical model were major social determinants of health (education, income, sex, age, occupation, as well as health behaviours related to smoking, drinking, and exercise). Results: Our findings indicated education had the largest impact on chronic disease diagnoses in rural Anhui. Generally, as education level increases, incidence of chronic disease diagnosis decreases. Discussion and Conclusion: Healthcare reform in Anhui China should focus on increasing the education level of rural residents, particularly for vulnerable groups such as farmers, women, the elderly, and homemakers