The purpose of this study was to explore and compare health-promoting behaviors and its relationships with associated variables between Korean elderly and Korean-American elderly. Study instruments were questionnaire that consisted of socioeconomic characteristics, health-promoting lifestyle patterns. self-esteem and self-efficacy. Data were collected from convenient sample of 150 Korean elderly and 110 Korean-American elderly recruited from senior centers. Collected data were analyzed by t-test. ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. The results are followings : 1. In religion, $32.7\%$ of Korean elderly were protestant. while $32.7\%$ of Korean-American. elderly were protestant. $61.3\%$ of Korean elderly were living with their children, and only $17.3\%$ of Korean-American elderly were living with their children. 2. There was no significant difference in the mean HPLP score in two groups. but Korean elderly showed higher practices in health responsibility. exercise. and stress management than that of Korean-American elderly. The subjects showed the highest practices in nutrition(3.14. 3.01), and the lowest practices in exercise (2.14, 1.92). 3. The mean HPLP score of Korean elderly was 2.63, showing significant relationships with age. education and economic status. the score of Korean-American elderly was 2.54, showing significant relationships with education. 4. Self-esteem score of Korean elderly was 2.72 and Korean-American elderly was 2.73. there was no significant difference in two groups. The score of self-esteem of Korean-American elderly was showing significant relationships with presence of spouse. 5. Self-efficacy score of Korean elderly was 3.27 and Korean-American elderly was 3.21. there was no significant difference in two groups. The score of self-efficacy of both groups were showed significant relationships with education. 6. The HPLP of Korean and Korean-American elderly showed(r=.24. r= .49) positive correlations with self-esteem had positive correlations with self-efficacy(r=.42. r=.28). To draw concrete resolution for health promotion of Korean and Korean-American elderly. this study suggests followings for future research : 1. Nursing interventions enhancing exercise and stress management of the elderly must be provided. Especially developing and adopting feasible exercise programs for Korean-American elderly is highly needed. 2. Identifying the influences of culture on their practices of health-promoting lifestyle patterns among Korean. Korean-American and other racial elderly groups.