Chronic diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally, with non-communicable diseases being responsible for most deaths. Older adults are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases due to various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors such as age, sex, income, education, employment, place of residence, dietary supplementation, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. Understanding the relationship between these factors and chronic diseases is crucial for identifying vulnerable populations and improving healthcare delivery. Through both an online and an interview-based survey, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine these associations, focusing on adults aged 50 and above, with the goal of identifying potential areas for intervention and prevention. The study found that gender, area of residence, education status, employment status, nutritional supplementation, body mass index (BMI), alcohol usage, and age are associated with the risk of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Female gender, higher educational level, employment, normal BMI, and younger age were found to be protective factors, while living in rural areas, alcohol consumption, and older age were identified as risk factors. The study recommends targeted interventions and improved access to healthcare to reduce risk factors and enhance healthcare delivery for better health outcomes.

This empirical research on children’s poverty and the accompanying risk behavior was conducted in the Baktalórántháza micro-region, in one of the most disadvantaged micro-regions of Hungary. The study, completed in 2023, was conducted utilizing three methods, a questionnaire for families, interviews, and focus group interviews with social professionals working in the settlements. The region is one of the ten micro-regions with the highest poverty rate in the country. The majority of the population only has an elementary education, and the proportion of graduates is much lower than the national average. The proportion of households with three or more children is higher than the national average and the proportion of unemployed people in households with children is twice as high as the national average. Based on the experience of social workers working in the area, in addition to smoking and drinking alcohol, the consumption of psychoactive and psychotropic substances has increased among adolescents and young adults. Based on various indicators, children regularly consume illegal drugs. The origin and composition of these drugs are typically unknown. According to the reports by drug users, everyday life is easier, and they can escape from problems when under the influence of drugs. Based on the observations of experts, the consumption of various psychoactive substances has harmful effects on behavior, health, learning, and family life. School performance and the ability to think and learn decrease. Drug users are dissatisfied with their lives, have problems with social relationships, engage in partner violence, and may develop antisocial behavior in their lives.

Tanulmányunkban az idősödő korosztály egészségi állapotát, egészségmagatartását és táplálkozási szokásait feltérképező vizsgálatunk eredményeit mutatjuk be, melynek adatfelvételét 2021-ben bonyolítottunk le az 50 éves és annál idősebb lakosság körében. Vizsgálatunkban kérdőíves módszert alkalmaztunk, melynek segítségével 684 fő válaszainak kiértékelése vált lehetővé. Eredményeink szerint a válaszadók egyharmada szenved valamiyen krónikus betegségben és minden negyedik túlsúlyos. Az érintett célcsoport egészségtudatossága jónak mondható. Az egészségműveltség szignifikáns összefüggést mutatott az iskolai végzettséggel, a nemmel, a szubjektív egészségi állapottal és a valamilyen krónikus betegség jelenlétével.

The monthly net income of settlement residents is much lower than in the town of Nyíregyháza or nationwide. Poor employment stands in the background, which naturally stems from the education level of settlement residents. Almost 80% of them completed 8 grades of primary school only or even fewer, while the number and rate of those who gained any qualification is very low. When examining income disparities in Nyíregyháza, it can be seen that the majority of settlement residents, 76.6%, belong to the 2 lowest deciles, and the rate of income poor also exceeds what is measured in the town or across the country. Considering the 60% of median income, 78% of the residents are poor. Regarding the costs of living, housing expenses cause the biggest trouble and many households have been struggling with arrears. A lakosok havi nettó jövedelme jóval alacsonyabb, mint Nyíregyháza városában, illetve országosan. Ennek hátterében az alacsony foglalkoztatottság áll, ami visszavezethető a telepeken élők iskolázottságára. Közel 80% azok aránya, akik 8 általános végzettséggel rendelkeznek, illetve még a 8 osztályt sem végezték el, rendkívül alacsony a szakképzettséggel rendelkezők száma és aránya. A Nyíregyházán mérhető jövedelmi különbségeket vizsgálva, a telepeken élők 76,7%-a, a két legalsó decilishez tartozik, körükben a jövedelmi szempontból szegénynek minősíthetők aránya is jelentősen meghaladja a városi, illetve az országos értékeket. A mediánjövedelem 60 százalékát figyelembe véve a lakók 78 százaléka minősül szegénynek. A megélhetéssel kapcsolatos kiadások tekintetében a telepi lakosok számára a lakhatással kapcsolatos kiadások jelentik a legnagyobb problémákat, sok háztartás rendszeres hátralékkal küzd.