The study constructed a theoretical analytical framework for examining health vulnerability associated with social health insurance among older adults using data obtained from field research conducted between 2019 and 2022. The framework was constructed by combining resource dependence theory and vulnerability theory. The framework was then empirically analyzed to determine the impact of social health insurance on the health vulnerability of older adults, with a particular focus on the contribution burden, satisfaction with treatment, and fairness. The study revealed that there are significant urban–rural differences in the impact of social health insurance quality on health vulnerability. The most important factor influencing the health vulnerability of rural older adults was found to be the contribution pressure of social health insurance, while the most important factor influencing the health vulnerability of urban older adults was the satisfaction and fairness of social health insurance treatment. Furthermore, there are significant regional differences in the factors affecting health vulnerability. Older adults in the east‐central part of the country are more concerned about the fairness of social health insurance, while older adults in the western part of the country are more concerned about the pressure to pay for social health insurance. The study also found that high‐quality social health insurance directly reduces health risks among older adults and indirectly reduces health vulnerability by promoting the utilization of curative and preventive geriatric care. Furthermore, public transfer income serves to significantly moderate the effect of social health insurance quality on health vulnerability, functioning as a stabilizing factor in older adults’ health. The article presents an innovative analysis of the impact of different dimensions of social health insurance on the health vulnerability of older adults, emphasizing the crucial role of public transfers in improving the health vulnerability of older adults. It also offers valuable recommendations for health care policies for older adults.
Zhang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.