Services for Aging Persons in China: Spatial Variations in Supply and Demand (Global Perspectives on Health Geography)

This volume draws upon one of the first comprehensive studies on the regional variations of services for aging persons in China to provide an empirical and theoretical understanding of the impact of China's rapidly growing aging population on the country's socioeconomic, cultural, and political systems. In three parts, the manuscript combines case-oriented comparative methods with variable-oriented statistical and GIS analyses to examine the spatial patterns and relationships between supply and demand of affordable and accessible services for aging persons in China.

Part one gives a historical review of population aging in China, including the development of services for aging persons and government policies and programs geared towards elders. Part two provides an analysis of spatial variations of supply and demand for services including food, housing, health, and community services for aging persons. Part three uses case studies to analyse the regional and local dimensions ofelderly services.  Suggestions are made for future planning, development, and policies. This book will appeal to policy makers, city planners, service providing businesses, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying economic geography, planning, and regional development.

Dr. Xiaoping Shen is a Professor in the Department of Geography at Central Connecticut State University. Her research interests include spatial analysis of services for aging persons, area risk factors influence human health, economic geography, and China studies.

Dr. Shangyi Zhou is a Professor in the Faculty of Geographical Science and Head of the Institute of Regional and Urban Planning at Beijing Normal University. She is also Director of the Cultural Geography Commission in the Geographical Society of China, executive member of Gerontology and Geriatric Health Association of China. Her research interests include cultural geography in developing China, and the aging population in China.

Dr. Xiulan Zhang is a Professor and founding Dean of the School of Social Development and Public Policy at Beijing Normal University. She is also the Director of the Social Policy Analysis Information Center. Her research interests include social policy, community development, and rural poverty in China.