2024/12/05 by Péter Domján, VZs. Angyal, István Vingender · 1 voice
Medicine · Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Nutrition and Health in Aging #Health and Wellbeing Research #Health disparities and outcomes
paper · doi:10.1556/2066.2024.00059
openalex publication_date 2024/12/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Abstract Purpose We investigated health development offices (HDOs) in Hungary as key providers of preventive healthcare services (nutrition, exercise, and mental hygiene programmes) for the general population, with a particular emphasis on health maintenance among people aged 60 and over. Materials and Methods Our research was informed by the fact that there are currently 113 HDOs operating in Hungary. We carried out a short online survey, for which the sample size ( n = 44) was big enough to apply descriptive statistical methods and make statistically significant estimates for different age groups, using a significance level of α = 5% for the target group. Results Our research yielded a remarkable finding: around one in two of the clients using the services of the HDOs were over the age of 60. As many as 89% (39 out of 44) of the HDOs participating in the survey provided specific health promotion programmes for individuals over 60 years of age. Conclusions Our research showed that HDOs are key players in the field of primary prevention among older people, suggesting that they are an important aspect of gerontological care.