Objective　To survey about the health status, the activity of daily living conditions and their influencing factors among the elderly in Anhui province, to provide the reference for the current health service system reform of China. Methods　1 424 older persons were selected by Cluster sampling and random sampling methods. The chronic diseases prevalence rate, the damage of ADL among the elderly were investigated. The main influencing factors related to the damage of ADL was analyzed by single and multiple variable logistic regression model. Results　The older persons with aging, lose fare or divorce, multiple chronic disease and smoking habit were at high risk to ADL damage, but physical exercise, high income and well health knowledge may be protective factors which can reduce the ADL damage rate. Different kind of chronic diseases played the different role in the ADL damage among the elderly. Conclusion　The conditions of ADL damage remains serious among the elderly and there are a lot of affected factors. How to find the effective preventive intervention for the elderly and put it into practice, improve their quality of health living are new social problems in china.