Health status of poor, older urban adults compared with key health indicators from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional comparative study
- Author:
Joo Hyun KIM
1
;
Yeon Jeong HEO
;
Curie AHN
;
Ho Young LEE
;
Bumjo OH
;
Jae Bok KWAK
;
Samil PARK
;
Jung Sik LEE
;
Soyeon KIM
;
Chaewon NAM
;
Taerim LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science 2026;28(1):179-190
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: This study compared key health indicators of poor, older urban adults attending a free clinic with those of the general older population, using data from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included 60 adults aged ≥60 years who attended the Raphael Nanum Homeless Clinic in Seoul. Participants completed a questionnaire, underwent anthropometric assessment, and provided fasting blood samples for measurement of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). Obesity, current smoking, monthly alcohol use, poor self-rated health, and strength exercise (≥ 2 days/week) were defined according to 2023 KNHANES criteria and compared with age-matched 2023 KNHANES estimates for adults aged ≥ 60 years using independent t-tests and two-proportion z-tests. Results: Participants were predominantly men (80.0%) with a mean age of 79.9 years; 70.0% reported no regular income, and 46.7% rated their health as poor. Compared with their 2023 KNHANES counterparts, the clinic group had a higher prevalence of obesity (50.0% vs. 35.0%), particularly among men, and a more atherogenic lipid profile characterized by higher LDL-cholesterol despite similar total cholesterol levels and lower TG. The prevalence of current smoking (3.3% vs. 10.6%) and monthly alcohol use (31.7% vs. 53.0%) was significantly lower, whereas participation in strength exercise was low in both groups, with no significant differences observed. Conclusion: Poor, older urban adults exhibited multidimensional health disparities, including obesity, adverse lipid profiles, and markedly poorer self-rated health, despite lower levels of smoking and alcohol consumption. Community-based interventions targeting nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease management are needed to reduce health inequalities in this vulnerable population.
