Accessibility of basic public health service promotes social integration of elderly migrants in China

The social integration of elderly migrants has emerged as a significant issue in contemporary Chinese society. Improving the Accessibility of Basic Public Health Services (ABPHS) is recognized as a crucial approach to addressing this challenge. Utilizing data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey, this study analyzed the impact of ABPHS on the social integration of elderly migrants, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms. The findings indicated that ABPHS positively influenced the social integration of elderly migrants. Heterogeneity analysis revealed more pronounced positive effects in central/western regions, dual-migration families, general cities, and intra-provincial migrants. Mechanistic analyses revealed that hometown social networks and engagement in social activities among elderly migrants served as mediating factors in the relationship between ABPHS and social integration, while migration experience positively moderated the direct effect of ABPHS on social integration and facilitated the formation of hometown society networks. From the perspective of health equity, it is imperative to further expand ABPHS to strengthen the social integration of elderly migrants. Policymakers are encouraged to develop unified platforms for social participation and establish formal support networks tailored to elderly migrants, thus enhancing their awareness of and access to public health services.