The consumption of dietary supplements among the elderly is on the rise. Despite the potential benefits, a comprehensive understanding of the decision-making processes leading to the consumption is lacking. This study explores the conditions influencing the decision-making and behavioral patterns of older adults related to dietary supplement consumption. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 elderly participants from a seniors’ club in Bangkok, Thailand, who had consistently consumed dietary supplements for at least one year. The behavior was classified into five primary categories: enduring use of identical dietary supplements, insufficient regard for health compatibility, replacing medications with supplements, not verifying before consumption, and opting for supplements over medical treatments. These patterns are aligned with the core constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control). Many individuals perceive supplements as pivotal health investments, while others view them as a direct route to robust health. Trusted advice from friends and television significantly influence their choices, with a prevailing sentiment that dietary supplements are generally safe. The high price tag on supplements is often associated with superior quality. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of dietary supplement consumption decisions among the Thai elderly, suggesting the need for interventions to promote safer and more informed choices.

Poverty, and especially the widening disparity between the rich and the poor, leads to social unrest that can interrupt the harmonious development of human society. Understanding the reasons for income inequality, and supporting the development of an effective strategy to reduce this inequality, have been major goals in socioeconomic research around the world. To identify the determinants of the income gap, we calculated the Gini coefficients for Chinese provinces and performed regression analysis and contribution analysis for heterogeneity, using data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2002 to 2018. We found that urbanization, higher education, and foreign direct investment in eastern China and energy in central and western China were important factors that increased the Gini coefficient (i.e., decreased equality). Therefore, paying more attention to the fair distribution of the factors that can increase the Gini coefficient and investing more in the factors that can reduce the Gini coefficient will be the keys to narrowing the income gap. Our approach revealed factors that should be targeted for solutions both in China and in other developing countries that are facing similar difficulties, although the details will vary among countries and contexts.