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. 2025 May 22:13:1575893.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1575893. eCollection 2025.

The relationship between health and migration: exploring social capital and mobility preferences in China's urbanization process

Peng Ying Mei  1 , Jialu You  2 , Wei Wen Jun  3
Affiliations

The relationship between health and migration: exploring social capital and mobility preferences in China's urbanization process

Peng Ying Mei et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Purpose: Health status is a key determinant of life outcomes, including economic performance, educational attainment, and social integration. However, its impact on migration preferences remains underexplored. This study investigates whether health status significantly influences migration decisions in China, with a particular focus on the role of social capital and class mobility expectations.

Methods: This study utilizes data from the China Labor Dynamics Survey (CLDS) collected between 2012 and 2018. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between self-reported health, occupational quality, social capital, and migration decisions. The mediating role of social networks and the moderating effect of class mobility expectations were also examined.

Results: The analysis reveals that individuals with better health are more likely to migrate, especially in pursuit of improved employment opportunities in urban areas. Social networks mediate the relationship between health and migration by providing resources and support that facilitate mobility. Furthermore, class mobility expectations moderate this relationship: healthier individuals with positive prospects tend to stay in their current location, while those who have experienced upward mobility are more likely to migrate.

Conclusion: This study highlights the significant role of health status in migration decisions and emphasizes the importance of social networks and class mobility expectations. Policies aimed at improving health and strengthening social support systems could enhance social equity and mobility, particularly in developing countries.

Keywords: China; class mobility; health status; migration; social networks.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
China migration number (1978–2020).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Harris-Todaro (HT) framework.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of self-reported health status and BMI in the estimation sample.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Propensity score matching.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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