Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Energy poverty significantly affects the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly middle-aged and older adult individuals in rural China. This study investigates how energy poverty impacts health capital, using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). METHODS: We employed the Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) to measure energy poverty and used an ordered logit model to analyze its effects on self-rated health (SRH) as a proxy for health capital. The study utilized longitudinal data from 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020, covering 9,464 observations, and included control variables such as age, gender, and chronic disease status. Endogeneity was addressed using instrumental variables and propensity score matching. RESULTS: The findings indicate that energy poverty has a significant negative impact on health capital, with a regression coefficient of -0.221(p<0.01), lowering self-rated health levels. This effect is consistent across physical health, mental health, and daily functioning. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that individuals with lower education levels and those in southern rural areas experience more severe health impacts. Mediation tests confirm that indoor environmental conditions partially mediate this relationship. DISCUSSION: The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate energy poverty in rural China. Expanding access to clean energy, improving rural infrastructure, and providing financial subsidies are critical. Education and regional policies should also be prioritized to address disparities.