Seven factors linked to longevity in China: Report

Health authorities in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, have listed seven factors that contribute to longevity, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The report, issued by the Taiyuan Health Commission and Taiyuan Committee on Aging, was based on a six-month survey of 166 centenarians in Taiyuan in 2021. The number of centenarians in the city reached 178 in 2022.

The seven factors are:

Favorable geographic, residential, and medical environments

Genetic factors

A warm and harmonious family atmosphere

Economic conditions

A healthy lifestyle

A calm and optimistic mindset

Adequate elderly care provided by medical and nursing institutions

The report also suggested promoting the concept of active aging and healthy aging, developing a comprehensive and mutually supportive elderly care system, and fostering a society that respects and supports the elderly.

On the personal level, the report also emphasized the cultivation of a positive mindset, adopting good lifestyle habits, and prioritizing healthcare and family support.

The health conditions of centenarians not only reflect the quality and level of elderly services provided in the city, but also demonstrate the robustness of the population's physical well-being and the prosperity of society.

According to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, as of the end of 2012, there were 56,000 centenarians nationwide. In August, Li Changguan, vice-chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said that there are nearly 7,000 people aged 100 and above in Guangxi, accounting for approximately one-tenth of the national total.