Objective To investigate the quality of life of retired cadres of People's Liberation Army,and analyze their health status and unhealthy life style on health.Methods From Jun.2008 to Dec.2008,4502 retired cadres aged 60 and above residing in Shanghai,Nanjing,Qingdao and Hangzhou were involved in present study.A transverse section on-the-spot survey was performed by questionnaire,and the quality of life was then analyzed based on the data gained.Results A total of 4502 valid questionnaires were received,the recruitment rate was 90.03%.Fifty questionnaires were randomly selected and checked,the coincidence was 89%.Several chronic diseases were found in the subjects investigated,and the following diseases occupied the top 10 positions:coronary artery disease,hypertension,type 2 diabetes mellitus,prostate hyperplasia,chronic gastritis,stroke,chronic bronchitis,tumor,hyperlipoidemia and cataract.The detection rates of all these diseases,with an exception of chronic gastritis,were correlated with age in certain degree.Smoking,lack of physical exercises and lack of fruits or vegetables intake were the main unhealthy life habits.Conclusion The basic health status of retired military cadres aged 60 and above has been obtained by the present investigation,and ten main chronic diseases and main unhealthy life habits in these retired cadres have been found,which may provide significant data for further study to work out a health care scheme for retired cadres.