Abstract: Objective To understand the cognition and needs of health management among rural elderly in Sichuan Province. Method A questionnaire survey was conducted among 744 rural elderly people in Sichuan Province with multi-stage sampling method,and the influencing factors of cognition and needs of health management among elderly people were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression model. Results There were 416 （55.9%） who knew about health management and 604 （81.1%） who needed health management services. The elderly with non-agricultural occupation before 60 years old （OR=1.895）,had higher education level （OR=1.320）,more annual medical expenditure （OR=1.362）,and paid more attention to daily diet control （OR=1.264） had better knowledge of health management,and those without spouse/partner had worse knowledge of health management （OR=0.680）. The elderly with chronic diseases （OR=1.519）,with non-agricultural occupation before 60 years old （OR=1.953）,and paid more attention to daily diet control （OR=1.810） needed health management services more,and those with high satisfaction with their own health （OR=0.576） needed health management services less. Conclusions The rural elderly in Sichuan Province have poor cognition of health management but high needs. Health management in the region should be further improved,especially to improve the health management cognition of the elderly with low education level,no spouse/partner,and farming before the age of 60.

Key words: Health management, Cognition, Needs, Elderly