Results of the 2024 Community Health Survey
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced on the 6th that the obesity rate (24.1%) and current smoking rate (10.8%) were the lowest among Seoul’s autonomous districts according to the results of the ‘2024 Community Health Survey.’
The district stated, “These two figures have maintained the highest level nationwide for seven consecutive years,” adding, “Among the 22 major health indicators, 14 recorded better-than-Seoul-average results, confirming Gangnam’s status as a ‘Healthy City.’”
The Community Health Survey analyzes health indicators such as smoking, drinking, physical activity, diet, and chronic diseases across 258 cities, counties, and districts nationwide, and is used to establish local health policies.
Gangnam-gu conducted the survey from May 16 to July 31 last year in collaboration with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Inje University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, targeting 919 residents aged 19 and older. Based on the extracted indicators, the results were analyzed by categorizing them as favorable, similar, or needing improvement compared to Seoul and national averages.
The most outstanding indicators were the obesity rate and current smoking rate. Lower rates indicate better weight management for health and fewer smokers.
Gangnam-gu’s obesity rate (body mass index of 25 or higher) was 24.1%, down 3.4 percentage points from 27.5% last year, marking the lowest rate in Seoul. At the same time, the annual weight control attempt rate was 72.6%, the highest among Seoul’s autonomous districts. The diagnosis experience rates for hypertension (18.4%) and diabetes (7.4%) were also lower than the Seoul average, indicating a high level of health management among residents.
The current smoking rate also decreased by 3.5 percentage points from 14.3% the previous year to 10.8%, which was the lowest among 25 autonomous districts, with a 0.8 percentage point gap from the second-place district (11.6%). The healthy lifestyle practice rate, which includes smoking cessation, moderate drinking, and walking, increased by 2.9 percentage points from the previous year to 51.9%. The stress recognition rate also improved by 4.5 percentage points from 29% last year to 24.5%.
On the other hand, indicators that were below the Seoul average and require improvement include the monthly drinking rate (59.7%), walking practice rate (61.7%), and depression experience rate (8.4%). The walking practice rate slightly decreased from 61.5% in 2022 to 60.3% in 2023 but showed an upward trend again in 2024, reaching 61.7%.
This year, the district plans to operate a new program where participants pick up street litter while walking and expand existing walking programs to further increase the walking practice rate. To reduce the depression experience rate, the district will strengthen counseling and prevention programs in cooperation with the Mental Health Welfare Center.
District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong said, “We will prioritize health project plans based on the survey results and support health programs that residents can feel directly,” adding, “Through various new projects, including the establishment of a center specializing in addiction issues such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, and digital media, we will further improve the health level of our residents.”
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