Health Policy Manag.  2021 Mar;31(1):56-64. 10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.1.56.

A Study of Factors Related to the Subjective Health Status of Elderly Population in Korea

• Han SH
• Kang JK
• Hong JS

• KMID: 2514662
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.1.56

Abstract

Background
Despite the high life expectancy, the subjective health status of the elderly people in Korea is reported to be the lowest as compared to other age groups. The purpose of the conducted study was to identify the factors related to the subjective health status of elderly people aged over 65 in Korea.
Methods
This study used data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2017) of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The subjects of the study were selected to be 2,904 elderly people aged over 65. The factors that were selected related to subjective health status were socio-demographics, perceived diseases, health behaviors, and mental health.
Results
As a result of the examination of the subjective health status according to the characteristics of the subjects of study, the subjective health status was high in males (β=0.144, p=0.011), urban dwellers (β=0.107, p=0.015), employed persons (β=0.139, p=0.001), college graduates (β=0.322, p<0.001), persons with high household income (β=0.226, p<0.001), persons without chronic disease, nonsmokers (β=0.146, p=0.009), drinkers (β=0.111, p=0.003), persons who practiced aerobic physical activity (β=0.150, p<0.001), persons without depression (β=0.286, p<0.001), and persons who rarely had stress (β=0.837, p<0.001).
Conclusion
More attention should be paid to those with low subjective health to improve health for elderly people. Expanding policy supports are required for elderly people with low socioeconomic status, chronic disease or depression, or unhealthy behaviors (smoking or lack of physical activity).

Keyword

Elderly people; Subjective health status; Health related factors