[Community Health Status in the Gyeongnam Regional Based on the Korea Community Health Survey Data 2024]

This study aimed to examine health behaviors, chronic diseases, and management status in the Gyeongnam region (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do). This investigation was conducted using data from the 2024 Community Health Survey, to identify regional disparities among cities, counties, and districts.

To analyze health behaviors, chronic disease prevalence, and management status of residents in the Gyeongnam region, we utilized the statistical data published by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in its "2024 Local Health Statistics at a Glance" report. Representative values were calculated as the medians of data collected from 41 cities, counties, and districts within the Gyeongnam region.

As of 2024, key health indicators such as the overall current smoking rate (17.7%), male current smoking rate (32.3%), walking practice rate (52.6%), moderate-to-high physical activity practice rate (27.6%), annual weight control attempt rate (64.5%), and recognition rate of early symptoms of myocardial infarction and stroke (52.6% and 61.7%, respectively), were found to be favorable for the Gyeongnam region compared to national values. However, increases were observed in the monthly drinking rate (60.3%), obesity rate (34.0%), hypertension diagnosis rate (19.5% for those aged 30 and above), and diabetes diagnosis rate (9.0% for those aged 30 and above) compared to the previous year. These findings suggest the need for intervention through public health education programs and promotional efforts to improve these indicators. Additionally, health indicators that showed the greatest disparities among local governments within the Gyeongnam region were the walking practice rate (47.6 percentage points), myocardial infarction recognition rate (47.4 percentage points), and stroke recognition rate (40.5 percentage points), highlighting the necessity to reduce regional health disparities.

Based on these results, intervention programs should be designed with due consideration for regional characteristics, prioritizing health indicators that require improvement. These findings are expected to serve as foundational materials for developing intervention programs to facilitate chronic disease prevention and management in the Gyeongnam region.