Purpose: The present study was to done ascertain variables related to health-related quality of
life (HRQOL) and their related factors in elders from urban or rural areas. Methods: Data were
collected from raw material of the 2009 community health survey. Participants were 2,140
elders. Health related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured using EQ-5D. Data were analyzed
with SPSS 13.0. Results: Mean EQ index score for urban elders was 0.78±0.23, Mean EQ
index score for rural elders was 0.82±0.16. Rural elders had significantly higher EQ-5D index
value compared to urban elders. The urban elder HRQOL model accounted for 33.6% of the
variance due to depression, age, stress perception. The rural elder HRQOL model accounted for
23.5% of the variance due to exercising walking, skipping breakfast, depression in that order. In
comparison, depression, skipping breakfast, livelihood, arthritis, stress perception, hours of sleep
and age are strongly associated with HRQOL in both groups. Conclusion: Results indicate that
significant differences in HRQOL between elders from the two areas and thus, confirm claims
that welfare services for elders should be provided with consideration of the different needs of
elders in the two areas, and in particular for addressing depression in elders.