The Changing Patterns of Relative Poverty and Healthy Aging Among the Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea: A Dual
Min Soo Kim1,2, Hyun-Joo Kim2,3, Jang Mook Kim1,4
1Institute for Convergence Healthcare, Dankook University, Cheonan-si, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
This study examines how life-course poverty affects healthy aging trajectories. Analyzing 3,412 adults (aged 45+) from the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2020) using group-based dual trajectory modeling, we explored the relationship between relative poverty and a multidimensional healthy aging index. Results indicate that higher poverty risk drastically reduces the probability of maintaining healthy aging (46.9% to 10.4%) and increases severe unhealthy aging (4.0% to 30.4%). Chronic poverty significantly hinders healthy aging. Breaking this poverty-health cycle requires enhanced social safety nets, tailored healthcare, and community support to promote equity in aging.
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