Regional differences of health behaviors among residents of China

ObjectiveTo understand the regional differences of health behabior among residents of China.MethodsThe index of difference(ID)and geographical distribution map were used to analyze four key indicators of health behavior based on the data from 2008 Analysis Report of Natongal Health Services Survey in China.ResultsSmoking and regular drinking rates of urban residents were lower than those of rural residents.While the rates of quit smoking and participation in physical exercise were higher.Among six regions,the rates of smoking,regular drinking and participation in physical exercise of the Northwest was the lowest.The ID of participation rate in physical exercise bewteen urban and rural areas was the highest with significant regional difference while the other indicators IDs were low.The IDs of smoking rate,quit smoking rate and regular drinking rate in the Northwest were higher than those of the other regions.ConclusionThe health behavior of Chinese residents exists regional differences with significant difference bewteen the urban and the rural and between Northwest and other areas.