Analysis of the Relationship between Mental and Cognitive Function and Physical Function Decline in Adults Over 40 Years of Age: Health Information Literacy Education for Caregiving

This study analyzed the differences in health information literacy by comparing individuals aged 40-59 and those aged 60 or older and evaluated the impact on physical and mental well-being.Data from 4,617 adults aged 40 and older who participated in the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed using SPSS Statistics v. 29.The findings revealed that adults aged 60 and older experienced greater challenges accessing and utilizing health information from digital and media sources.They also had more difficulty understanding patient education materials, recognizing health risks, and following medical guidelines than those aged 40-59.Furthermore, older adults reported more issues related to physical activity, memory, sleep, pain, energy, and overall wellbeing.Health information literacy was found to have a significant influence on quality of life, especially among older adults.These results highlight the importance of developing and implementing digital health literacy programs tailored to the needs of adults aged 40 and older.In particular, there is a strong need to support caregivers of older adults, as they play a critical role in managing health-related decisions.Enhancing media-based health literacy can empower individuals to make informed health behavior choices, ultimately promoting better quality of life across age groups.