Influence of Successful Aging, Quality of Life, and Factors Related to Potential Stressors on Older Consumers' Purchase of Private Health Insurance in South Korea: An Empirical Study Based on Proactive Coping Theory

Financial Knowledge and Private Health Insurance: Does Age Matter?

(1) Background: The paper focuses on the relationship between financial knowledge (FK) and holding private health insurance (PHI), and also focuses on the effect of age on the aforementioned relationship. (2) Method: The study was carried out on a sample of 8055 individuals taken from the 2016 Financial Competences Survey (the only one available), prepared by the Bank of Spain. Unlike previous studies that limited themselves to considering numeracy as a proxy for FK, in this study, two levels of FK-basic and advanced-are considered. (3) Results: The results indicate that a higher level of FK, specifically advanced FK, increases the probability of an individual holding PHI. Regarding age, it has been observed that the relationship between FK and PHI is only relevant in middle and older age, but not in younger and adults. Therefore, it is appropriate to differentiate between basic and advanced FK, and we confirm that age exerts a moderating effect on the influence of FK on PHI. (4) Conclusion: We conclude that FK-specifically, advanced FK for middle-aged and older people-is relevant to the likelihood of an individual holding PHI, which can improve health and financial wellbeing.

Trajectories of Successful Aging Among Older Adults in Aotearoa New Zealand

Successful aging was defined as having no multimorbidity, high functional capacity, active life engagement, and good health-related quality of life. This study analyzed data from 1433 older adults who were followed up for 12 years across seven waves from the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement study by examining the trajectories of successful aging. Latent growth curve modeling was used to assess the growth factors of successful aging trajectories of older adults. The mean successful aging score was 3.53 (range: 0-6) in 2006 and linearly declined by 0.064 units every year. Those with higher successful aging scores at baseline had a slower decline. Successful aging scores were lower among females, Māori, and those aged 65 years and above at baseline. The findings from this study suggest that gender and ethnic inequalities play significant roles in successful aging among older adults in New Zealand.

Evaluating the association between anthropometric parameters and successful aging in older adults

This study aimed to determine the relationship between successful aging (SA) and anthropometric parameters in older adults. We used body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference to reflect anthropometric parameters. SA was assessed by the following five aspects: self-rated health, self-rated psychological status or mood, cognitive function, activities of daily life, and physical activity. Logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between anthropometric parameters and SA. Results showed that larger BMI, waist circumference, and calf circumference are related to a higher prevalence of SA in older women; greater waist circumference and calf circumference are associated with a higher rate of SA in old-old adults. These findings suggest that the greater BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference are associated with a higher rate of SA in older adults, and the associations are influenced to some extent by the sex and age.

The effects of health insurance and physical exercise participation on life satisfaction of older people in China-Based on CHNS panel data from 2006 to 2015

Background

In China, the problem of aging population has become more and more serious. The factors influencing life satisfaction of older people are becoming a significant issue. This study explores the effects of health insurance and physical exercise on life satisfaction of older people in China.

Method

This study used an unbalanced panel dataset (n = 6,393, T = 4) of older adults aged 60-80 years from the 2006 to 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). A panel ordered logistic regression model was developed to examine the effects of health insurance and physical exercise on older people' life satisfaction. Mediation tests were used to examine the mediating role of physical exercise in the effect of health insurance on life satisfaction of older people.

Result

Life satisfaction of older people was positively associated with participation in health insurance (OR = 1.439) and physical exercise (OR = 1.033). Participation in government health insurance, urban employee health insurance (UEBMI), new rural cooperative health insurance (NRCMI), and other commercial health insurance all have positive effects on life satisfaction of older people. Physical exercise plays a masking role in the effect of health insurance on life satisfaction of older people.

Conclusion

Participation in health insurance and physical exercise are important means to promote life satisfaction among older people. Physical exercise affects the impact of health insurance on older people's life satisfaction.