Combining Nutrition and Healthcare for a Stronger Society
The Korea Association of Health Promotion’s Seoul Eastern Branch (KHAP) has donated 320 kg of rice to five senior centers in Dongdaemun District as part of the 2025 Love Rice Sponsorship program. Alongside the donation, KHAP staff provided health education and wellness campaigns focused on managing seasonal illnesses and heart health. This initiative not only promotes food security for seniors but also strengthens community well-being through preventative healthcare efforts.
Addressing Food Insecurity and Public Health Among Seniors
Food security is a growing concern for elderly populations in urban areas, especially for those on fixed incomes. According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), over 40% of seniors in Korea experience food insecurity, which can lead to malnutrition, weakened immunity, and higher healthcare costs. By donating rice, KHAP is directly supporting seniors’ nutritional needs, ensuring they have access to a staple food source.
Additionally, KHAP’s health education programs are vital in addressing seasonal health risks. Led by clinical nutritionists, the training sessions covered topics such as immune system support during winter and heart disease prevention. Participants also received mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings, allowing early detection of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia. Such screenings are essential, as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Korea, according to the Korean Heart Association.
A Long-Term Commitment to Social Welfare
KHAP’s contributions to community welfare extend beyond rice donations. In previous years, they provided:
- 200 kg of rice to four senior centers in 2023
- 340 kg of rice to six senior centers in 2024
This reflects an increasing commitment to helping vulnerable groups. In addition to rice donations, KHAP has engaged in volunteer work, such as providing winter supplies to veterans and their families, supporting Lunar New Year celebrations at welfare centers, and serving meals to seniors in need.
KHAP’s 2025 Love Rice Sponsorship is more than just a donation program—it is an integrated approach to food security, healthcare, and community support. By providing both essential nutrition and critical health education, KHAP is setting a model for holistic social welfare initiatives. As Korea’s aging population continues to grow, such programs will become increasingly vital in ensuring the well-being of seniors.
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