Economic Activity and Health Conditions in Adults Aged 65 Years and Older: Findings of the Korean National Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract

The population is aging because lifespans have continued to increase due to developments in modern medical science. The economic activity and health of the elderly are very important factors with reference to the problems of the aged. This cross-sectional study examined the association between the economic activity and health of the elderly. Subjects included 4226 elderly aged over 65 years among the adults who participated in the Fifth Korean National Longitudinal Study on Aging (KLoSA). Basic analysis, cross-analysis, binary logistic regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed to fulfill each research purpose. Male subjects were influenced more by the factors that affect the subjective health of the elderly than females were. Further, subjective health influenced economic activity more than socio-demographic characteristics and health behavior did. Specifically, among the male subjects, the health condition of salaried, self-employed, and unpaid family workers was better as compared to recipients of national health insurance and private health insurance, and unemployed subjects. Preparing for a super-aged society is a worldwide issue. The elderly represent a social participation class that should not be neglected. Therefore, it is necessary to support health promotion policies and increase institutional improvement by reflecting the level of economic activity of the elderly.