Health Related Practices and Chronic Illness in Korea

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the degree of association between health related practices and chronic illness and to Identify their cumulative effects on physical health status among Koreans using data collected through a nationwide sample survey. The sample consisted of 5, 021 adults aged 20-59 selected through a stratified cluster random sampling method. The response rate was 99%. The survey was conducted from 30 October through 9 December 1989. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression procedures were employed for analyses. This research corroborates studies carried out in Alameda County, California which demonstrated that desirable health related practices are positively related to physical health status. The relationships of these practices were indicated to be cumulative and independent.

Keywords

Chronic Illness health related practices behavioral risk factors Korea

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. WHO Interhealth Steering Committee : Demonstration Project for the Integrated Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases: Epidemiological Background and Rationale. World Health Statistics Quarterly, 1991;44:48.

2. Belloc NB , Breslow L : Relationship of Physical Health Status and HEalth Practices. Prev Med 1972;1:409–21.

3. Wiley JA , Camacho TC : Lifestyle and Future Health: Evidence from the Alameda County Study. Prev Med 1980;9:1–21.

4. Wingard DL , Berkman LF , Brand RJ : A Multivariate Analysis of Health Related Practices: A nine year mortality follow up of Alameda County Study. Am J of Epid 1982;116(5):765–75.

5. Epstein FH , Holland WW : Prevention of Chronic Diseases in the Community-one disease versus multiple disease strategies. Inter J of Epid 1983;12(2):135–37.

6. Roberts RE , Lee ES : Health Practices among Mexican Americans: Further Evidence from the Human Population Laboratory Studies. Prev Med 1980;9:675–88.

7. Schoenborn CA : Health habits of U.S. Adults, 1985: the “Alameda 7” Revisited. Public Health Reports 1986;101(6):571–80.

8. Enstrom JE , Kanim LE , Breslow L : The Relationship between Vitamin C Intake, General Practices, and Mortality in Alameda County, California. AJPH 1986;76(9): 1124–30.

9. Khaltaev N : Inter-health Fights Lifestyle Disease. World Health, May-June 1991:18–20.

10.

10. Room R, Day N: Alcohol and Mortality. Special Report to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. March 1974.

11.

11. Berkman LF , Breslow L , Wingard D : Health Practices and Mortality Risk. In: Berkman LF , Breslow L : Health and Ways of Living. New York: Oxford University Press, 1983;61–112.

12.

12. Camacho TC , Wiley JA : Health Practices, Social Networks and Change in Physical Health. In: Berkman LF , Breslow L : Health and Ways of Living, New York: Oxford University Press, 1983;176–209.