Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), 1998-2012

The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) provides information on health status and quality of life of the elderly aged 65 and older in 22 provinces of China in the period 1998 to 2012. The study was conducted to shed light on the determinants of healthy human longevity and oldest-old mortality. To this end, data were collected on a large percent of the oldest population, including centenarian and nonagenarian; the CLHLS provides information on the health, socioeconomic characteristics, family, lifestyle, and demographic profile of this aged population.
Data are provided on respondents' health conditions, daily functioning, self-perceptions of health status and quality of life, life satisfaction, mental attitude, and feelings about aging. Respondents were asked about their diet and nutrition, use of medical services, and drinking and smoking habits, including how long ago they quit either or both. They were also asked about their physical activities, reading habits, television viewing, and religious activities, and were tested for motor skills, memory, and visual functioning. In order to ascertain their current state of health, respondents were asked if they suffered from such health conditions as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, emphysema, asthma, tuberculosis, cataracts, glaucoma, gastric or duodenal ulcer, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, bedsores, or other chronic diseases. They were also asked if they needed assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, or feeding, and who provided help in times of illness.
Other questions focused on siblings, parents, and children, the frequency of family visits, and the distance lived from each other. Demographic and background variables include age, sex, ethnicity, place of birth, marital history and status, history of childbirth, living arrangements, education, main occupation before age 60, and sources of financial support.