ObjectiveTo explore the influencing factors of the health status of the elderly in China, so as to provide suggestions and theoretical basis for the health management departments to formulate policies related to the health of the elderly.MethodsBased on the data of the 8^th round of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), response data from 12 164 elderly people (≥65 years old) were included. According to Grossman health demand model, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), marital status, residence, smoking, drinking, exercise, social activity, annual income and residence from 4 dimensions (demographic characteristics, sociological, lifestyle, and economic status) were selected. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of the health status of Chinese elderly.ResultsForty-seven point seven nine percent (5 813/12 164) of the elderly were in good health, and the proportion of male elderly with good health (50.09%, 2 821/5 632) was significantly higher than that of female elderly (45.81%, 2 992/6 532) (χ²＝22.240, P < 0.001). The distribution characteristics of 9 factors (age, gender, BMI, smoking, drinking, exercise, social activity, annual income, and residence) of the elderly with good health or poor health were significantly different (all P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis results showed that age, gender, BMI, marital status, smoking, drinking, exercise, social activity and annual income were important influencing factors of the health of the elderly (all P < 0.05). Age≥100 years old, male, normal or high BMI, being widowed, exercising, participating in social activities and high annual income were protective factors of the health of the elderly (odds ratio[OR]＝1.141-1.580), and ever smoking, ever drinking and never drinking were risk factors (OR＝0.491-0.828).ConclusionWith the serious aging problem of the population, government departments must attach great importance to the health of the elderly (especially females and those with low income), promote health education and publicity for the elderly, guide the elderly to have good living habits, and encourage the society to provide more elderly care services.