Search Results (249)

This study quantitatively analyzed the impact of concurrent large-scale wildfires that occurred in Korea in March 2025 on air quality in agricultural regions and identified potential risks to agricultural workers. Analysis of air quality data from eight agricultural sites nationwide revealed that the average concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 during the wildfire period increased by 47.3% and 24.9%, respectively, compared to non-fire periods. Multiple regression analysis indicated that PM₁₀ concentrations were dominated by physical dispersion and dilution effects driven by variables such as wind speed and distance. In contrast, PM_2.5 showed a strong positive correlation with relative humidity, suggesting it is significantly influenced by secondary formation and atmospheric stagnation. Notably, the potential for particulate matter accumulation was confirmed during high-humidity hours when atmospheric inversion layers form, combined with the basin topography characteristic of Korean rural areas. This implies that elderly agricultural workers may be exposed to high concentrations of hazardous substances even when smoke is not visually apparent. Therefore, this study suggests the necessity of establishing specific protective measures for agricultural workers, including the introduction of targeted, site-specific forecasting (“pinpoint forecasts”) for downwind farmlands and restrictions on outdoor work during early morning hours. Full article

Background/Objectives: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) regulates muscle energy metabolism and function, enhancing glucose uptake and promoting glycogen synthesis. However, studies on the association between HDL-C levels and sarcopenia remain controversial. We therefore investigated the association between HDL-C levels and sarcopenia in elderly Koreans. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on previously collected, anonymous health checkup data. Participants included 3776 individuals aged 65 years and older who underwent body composition analysis using a bioelectrical impedance meter during a health checkup in 2024. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle index of <7.0 kg/m² for males and <5.7 kg/m² for females. Logistic regression analyses were performed for each variable, including HDL-C levels, to identify sarcopenia association expressed as odds ratios (ORs). Participants were further divided into four quartiles according to HDL-C levels, and comparative multivariable analyses were performed, with the quartile with the lowest HDL-C level serving as the reference. Results: Of the 3776 Koreans with a mean age of 70.5 years, sarcopenia was diagnosed in 23.1% (n = 872) of participants. Sarcopenia prevalence showed a steadily increasing trend from the lowest quartile group (Q1, n = 977) with HDL-C levels ≤48 mg/dL to the highest quartile group (Q4, n = 974) at ≥67 mg/dL (p < 0.001). After adjusting for sarcopenia-associated risk factors, a significant association was found between the condition and HDL-C levels (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02; p = 0.008). Q4 showed a consistent sarcopenia association compared with Q1, even after adjusting for all variables (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.75; p = 0.018). Conclusions: In Koreans aged 65 years and older, we found an association between high HDL-C levels and sarcopenia. Full article

Background: The contribution of adiposity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) to thyroid cancer risk in late life, particularly among the elderly, is unclear. Methods: We conducted a nationwide cohort study of Korean adults aged ≥75 years who underwent standardized health screening. Exposures were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and MetS defined by standard clinical criteria. The incidence of thyroid cancer was determined using administrative data. Fine–Gray sub-distribution hazard models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with prespecified stratification by sex and age (75–84 vs. ≥85 years). Results: Among 1,164,707 participants (60.3% women), 2645 incident cases were identified. In the fully adjusted models, obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) was associated with a 37% higher hazard (HR, 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–1.49) and MetS with an 18% higher hazard (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09–1.28). In sex-stratified models, MetS was associated with thyroid cancer in women (HR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.08–1.31) and showed a similar direction of association in men (HR 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00–1.35), with overlapping CIs. By age, associations were evident at 75–84 years (MetS: HR, 1.18; obesity: HR, 1.36), whereas at ≥85 years, only obesity remained significant (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.13–3.18). Among MetS components, high WC showed the most consistent association (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.21–1.42). Conclusions: In adults aged ≥75 years, general obesity and, in particular, central adiposity are robustly associated with incident thyroid cancer, whereas metabolic syndrome confers a more modest and mainly age- and sex-specific additional risk. Full article

Background/Objectives: Maintaining independent mobility among older adults requires complex cognitive and physical health and is influenced by various health-related factors. This study sought to examine the relationship between health-related factors and driving among community-dwelling older adults by comparing the health status of currently driving individuals and those who have ceased driving. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2023 Korean Elderly Survey, collected between 4 September and 12 November 2023. A total of 4114 individuals aged 65 years or older were included. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and weighted binary logistic regressions via IBM SPSS for Windows. Results: Significant health-related factors for driving cessation included having ≥2 chronic diseases (OR = 1.22, p = 0.041), diagnosed depression (OR = 3.64, p = 0.030), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living dependency (OR = 1.67, p = 0.001), visual discomfort (OR = 1.18, p = 0.048), depression risk (OR = 1.34, p = 0.015), suspected cognitive impairment (OR = 1.73, p < 0.001), and poor self-rated health (OR = 1.21, p = 0.029). None of the participants with Parkinson’s were currently driving, whereas polypharmacy (≥5 medications) was not statistically significant (OR = 0.77, p = 0.222). Chronic diseases that may affect driving were also not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study highlights the fact that older drivers may have difficulty recognizing health-related risks that affect driving. To support safe mobility, it is essential to implement a health-centered assessment of driving fitness, including an appropriate evaluation cycle, and promote continuous education to raise awareness among older adults. Full article

As the Buddhist monastic community in Korea has entered an era marked by aging demographics, the issues surrounding the welfare of the order’s monastics in their retirement years have become increasingly pressing. In response, in 2011, the Jogye Order enacted the Monastic Welfare Act and established the Monastic Welfare Society with the aim of enabling monks to fully devote themselves to their religious duties by assuming institutional responsibility for their healthcare, pension, residential welfare, and end-of-life needs. Over a decade since the system’s implementation, the Jogye Order has achieved notable progress towards achieving the Monastic Welfare Act’s aims. However, while the order has stabilized medical coverage for its clergy, there remain considerable gaps in its provisions for income and housing for elderly monastics. This article surveys the Jogye Order’s efforts to establish systemic care for its elderly monastics, with a particular focus on the Jogye Order’s 2011 Monastic Welfare Act and subsequent activities of the Monastic Welfare Society. It then critically examines the current state of eldercare within the order, along with its strengths and weakness, before engaging in a comparative discussion regarding the clerical eldercare and welfare systems provided by both the Korean Catholic Church and the Thai Buddhist community. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in cognitive well-being and brain activity between older women with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) across varying levels of physical activity. Method: A total of 126 female participants aged over 65 years were recruited and categorized into MCI and non-MCI groups. Cognitive health was evaluated using the Korean versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), while physical activity levels were quantified with the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE-K). Brain activity was assessed through electroencephalography (EEG). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Results: Results indicated that non-MCI participants consistently demonstrated higher cognitive scores across all physical activity levels. Moreover, individuals with higher physical activity exhibited greater theta wave activity compared with those in the MCI group. Significant group differences were also observed in concentration and stress levels. Conclusion: These findings suggest that higher physical activity levels are associated with better cognitive performance and brain activity in older women. Promoting physical activity may therefore contribute to strategies aimed at supporting healthy cognitive aging, although longitudinal research is required to establish causal relationships. Full article

Objectives: This study examined whether skeletal muscle mass mediates the relationship between sedentary behavior, physical activity, and cardiometabolic health, and if this relationship differs by genders. Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2022–2023 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 5956). Cardiometabolic abnormalities were defined as having one or more of the five metabolic syndrome (MS) criteria, while MS was defined as having three or more. Muscle mass relative to body weight was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Sedentary time and recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels at work, for transportation, and for recreation (≥600 Mets), and strength training (≥2 times/week), were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Higher MVPA (p < 0.001) and less sedentary time (p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with greater muscle mass in middle-aged and elderly men and women. Mediation analyses, which controlled for MS risk factors, revealed gender differences. In men, the indirect effects of sedentary time, MVPA, and strength training on both cardiometabolic abnormalities (b = 0.007, CI [0.003, 0.013]; b = −0.066, CI [−0.110, −0.033]; b = −0.074, CI [−0.110, −0.033]) and MS (b = 0.007, CI [0.003, 0.011]; b = −0.060, CI [−0.095, −0.032]; b = −0.065, CI [−0.100, −0.035]) were significant, indicating mediation by muscle mass. In women, the indirect effects of these three behaviors on cardiometabolic abnormalities were also mediated by muscle mass (b = 0.003, CI [0.001, 0.006]; b = −0.014, CI [−0.031, −0.002]; b = −0.023, CI [−0.050, −0.003]). However, for MS, sedentary time (b = 0.057, p < 0.001) and MVPA (b = −0.222, p < 0.05) had only direct effects, with no mediation by muscle mass. Furthermore, strength training showed no significant effects. Conclusions: These findings suggest that promoting MVPA and strength training, while reducing sedentary time, can improve cardiometabolic health by increasing muscle mass, though the mediating role of muscle mass for MS differs by gender. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic factor among elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate whether computed tomography (CT)-defined sarcopenia independently predicts short-term mortality in elderly Korean trauma patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 722 patients aged ≥65 years admitted to a Korean Level I trauma center between January 2020 and December 2021. Sarcopenia was defined as the lowest sex-specific quartile of skeletal muscle index (SMI) measured at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) within 7 days of admission. Demographics, injury severity, and outcome variables were compared between groups. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with a 24 h landmark and multivariable Cox regression were applied to identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Results: Among 722 patients, 181 (25.1%) were sarcopenic. They were older and had lower body mass index and serum albumin yet showed lower Injury Severity Score (ISS) at presentation. Despite this, in-hospital mortality was higher in sarcopenic patients (15.5% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.036), while 24 h mortality did not differ (4.4% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.663). Landmark analysis starting at 24 h demonstrated significantly worse 30-day survival in the sarcopenia group (log-rank p = 0.028). Multivariable Cox regression confirmed sarcopenia as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.07–5.23; p = 0.034), along with higher ISS and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. Conclusions: CT-defined sarcopenia at the L3 level independently predicts 30-day mortality in elderly trauma patients and may support early risk stratification. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aging is characterized by dysregulation of the immune system. A balanced diet and probiotic intake can play significant roles in preventing aging-related chronic degenerative diseases and promoting immune function in the elderly. This community-based intervention study investigated the effects of an eight-week intervention involving a balanced diet with or without probiotics on nutritional parameters and gut microbiota composition in Korean elderly individuals. Methods: A total of 48 participants were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: 24 received a balanced diet alone, and 24 received a balanced diet combined with probiotics. Results: The balanced diet showed beneficial impacts on nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers, including fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and gut microbiota, such as the Bacteroidaceae family and the genera Prevotella and Faecalibacterium. Additionally, providing probiotics alongside a balanced diet influenced the taxonomic profile and abundance of intestinal microbiota. Conclusions: Overall, the combination of a balanced diet and probiotics has beneficial effects on nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers as well as gut microbiota composition in elderly individuals. Future meticulously designed randomized controlled trials are required to further understand the health benefits and underlying mechanisms of balanced diets and probiotics in the Korean elderly. Full article

Background: China and the Republic of Korea, two countries facing rapid population aging, are actively promoting healthy aging. Physical activity (PA), aging, anxiety, depression, and discrimination determine the health and quality of life of older adults. This study compared the levels of PA, ageism, and aging anxiety among Chinese and Korean adults aged 55–64 years. In this study, we explored the effect of PA on ageism and aging anxiety in these individuals. Methods: We surveyed 200 pre-elderly individuals in Shaanxi Province, China, and 201 pre-elderly individuals in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. The survey assessed PA, ageism, and aging anxiety levels and collected data on nationality, sex, body mass index, marital status, smoking status, and education level. The collected data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, t-tests, analysis of variance, and structural equation model path analysis, which were performed using SPSS and AMOS. Results: The PA level was higher among the Korean participants than among the Chinese participants (p = 0.027). In contrast, ageism (p < 0.001) and aging anxiety (p = 0.001) levels were higher among Chinese participants than among Korean participants. PA was negatively related to aging anxiety (p = 0.044) but did not affect ageism (p > 0.05). Furthermore, ageism was positively correlated with aging anxiety (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Pre-elderly Chinese and Korean individuals should be aware of the importance of PA and increase its presence in daily life. Pre-elderly individuals must be prepared for healthy aging. This can be achieved by implementing social policies and increasing awareness of healthy aging. Full article

South Korea is rapidly transitioning into an aging society, resulting in a growing demand for senior multi-family housing. Nevertheless, current façade designs remain limited in diversity and fail to adequately address the visual needs and preferences of the elderly population. This study presents a biophilic façade design approach for senior housing, utilizing Stable Diffusion (SD) fine-tuned with low-rank adaptation (LoRA) to support the implementation of differentiated biophilic design (BD) strategies. Prompts were derived from an analysis of Korean and worldwide cases, reflecting the perceptual and cognitive characteristics of older adults. A dataset focusing on key BD attributes—specifically color and shapes/forms—was constructed and used to train the LoRA model. To enhance accuracy and contextual relevance in image generation, ControlNet was applied. The validity of the dataset was evaluated through expert assessments using Likert-scale analysis, while model reliability was examined using loss function trends and Frechet Inception Distance (FID) scores. Our findings indicate that the proposed approach enables more precise and scalable applications of biophilic design in senior housing façades. This approach highlights the potential of AI-assisted design workflows in promoting age-inclusive and biophilic urban environments. Full article

Backgrounds: Korean society is entering an aging society, and this phenomenon indicates the need for preparation for aging in Korean society. In such a situation, exploring the characteristics of the elderly can be considered important for preparation. The objective of this study is to identify the determinants of medical expenses among older adults in South Korea. The key factors analyzed include food, leisure, and housing expenses, as well as lifestyle choices such as drinking and smoking. Method: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, covering 7374 observations from the years 2018 and 2020, are adopted for statistical analysis. This research explores the inverted-U-shape effect of food, leisure, and housing expenditures on medical costs, grounded in the concepts of diminishing marginal utility and mental accounting. A quadratic panel regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses, controlling for variables such as birth year, gender, and personal assets. Results: The results show that food and housing expenses have an inverted-U relationship with medical expenditures based on diminishing marginal utility and mental accounting as the theoretical foundation. However, leisure expenses, drinking, and smoking do not significantly affect medical expenses. Furthermore, this study identifies the optimal expenditure levels for maximizing medical spending through the first-order condition. Conclusions: These findings provide important insights for the development of policies aimed at improving the financial well-being of older adults in South Korea. Moreover, this study contributes to the literature by applying the concepts of mental accounting and the law of diminishing marginal utility to better understand the financial behavior of older adults. Full article

This study assesses the predictions of future mobility rates and tenure choice behaviors by characterizing older households by age and place, focusing on the role of intergenerational networks. This study employed mixed effects logistic regression along with longitudinal household data acquired from the 2008–2020 Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging. The findings are as follows. First, co-residence with children encouraged older people to remain in their current places of residence. In contrast, those within 30 min of a child’s house by public transportation tended to experience residential mobility and dissave their accumulated housing wealth. Second, the effects of intergenerational networks on housing behaviors—independent living, residential mobility, and tenure transition—seemed greater and statistically significant for the oldest cohort, aged 75 years and above, and in non-metropolitan areas. Finally, intergenerational networks might help vulnerable households—being single or having poor health—stay in their current independent living situations, but they did not appear to be major factors influencing housing decisions, such as residential mobility or housing adjustments, in older households. In conclusion, intergenerational networks seem to have a partial direct impact on aging in place (AIP) in Korea. Instead, older Koreans tend to relocate closer to their children and seem to age in those areas. Understanding the reasons why older households choose to stay or leave their current homes is crucial, as it relates to aging in place (AIP), a widely used term in aging-related matters and a goal of elderly housing policies. This study provides seminal insights into this issue. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is recommended as the best second-line regimen after failure of first-line clarithromycin triple therapy (CTT) for Helicobacter pylori eradication. However, there are some limitations to this approach, including the lack of an appropriate sequel regimen after failure of BQT and complicated administration. Metronidazole triple therapy (MTT) is simple to administer, but it is not widely recommended. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of MTT as second-line regimen for H. pylori eradication after failure of CTT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the Korean patients with H. pylori infection who underwent second-line treatment after failure of first-line CTT from October 2013 to October 2019. The efficacy of MTT and BQT for H. pylori eradication was compared. Results: The eradication rate in the BQT group tended to be higher than that in the MTT group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (208/233, 89.3% versus 244/284, 85.9%, p = 0.287). Among 40 patients with second-line MTT eradication failure, 21 received the third-line BQT, and 15 showed successful eradication (15/21, 71.4%). In the men 70 years or older, the eradication rate of MTT was lower than that of BQT without statistical significance (75.8% versus 94.1%, p = 0.141). Conclusions: These findings suggested that MTT could be a second-line treatment option, reserving BQT for Helicobacter pylori eradication after first line CTT failure, except in elderly men 70 years or older. Full article

This study was conducted to develop a grape product that can facilitate fruit intake for elderly people with chewing difficulties. In addition, the possibility of field application for future prototype production was investigated by comparing laboratory-scale (lab-scale) and pilot-scale production. The stages (stage 1: able to eat with teeth, stage 2: able to eat with gums, stage 3: able to eat with tongue) of the products were determined according to the Korean Industrial Standards for Seniors Friendly Foods (KS H 4897), and the physicochemical composition was measured according to the general test method of the Food Code. The results of this study showed that when comparing the lab scale and pilot scale in stage 1, the hardness of the pilot scale was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Conversely, both hardness in stages 2 and 3 and viscosity in stage 3 showed a significant decrease in the pilot scale compared to the lab scale (p < 0.05). In addition, pH and sugar acidity were significantly different between the two scales in all stages (p < 0.05). These results confirmed the feasibility of developing customized grape products for the elderly with chewing difficulties, and the differences in physicochemical properties between lab-scale and pilot-scale production confirmed the importance of maintaining product quality during scaled-up production. These results can serve as a basis for developing foods for the elderly that require continuous development, and are expected to contribute to improving the dietary habits and quality of life of the elderly with chewing difficulties. Full article