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

Objectives. To comprehensively analyze the prevalence of chronic diseases (hypertension, lung disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and heart disease) among older Chinese people. Methods. This study utilized data from 5 waves (2002, 2005, 2008, 2018, and 2022) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. We estimated prevalence rates using Poisson regression and Bayesian models from the DemoRates R-package and weighted according to the China population censuses. Results. The prevalence of most chronic diseases decreased in the first period and then increased substantially in the second period. Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic saw a decrease in the prevalence of most chronic diseases. Notably, hypertension was the most prevalent chronic condition among older adults, with a prevalence rate as high as 45.27% in 2018, and cancer exhibited the most significant increase in prevalence during the second period, with an average annual increase of 11.03%. Conclusions. Chronic disease prevalence among older Chinese adults exhibited dynamic and complex trends, influenced by socioeconomic factors, health care access, and public health emergencies. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions tailored to specific diseases, demographics, and regions. ( Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print September 18, 2025:e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308245 )