- Who Dies Alone? Demographics, Underlying Diseases, and Healthcare Utilization Patterns of Lonely Death Individuals in Korea
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Haibin Bai, Jae-ryun Lee, Min Jung Kang, Young-Ho Jun, Hye Yeon Koo, Jieun Yun, Jee Hoon Sohn, Jin Yong Lee, Hyejin Lee
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J Prev Med Public Health. 2025;58(2):218-226. Published online March 4, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.704
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 Abstract
Summary
 PDF Supplementary Material
- Objectives
Lonely death is defined as “a person living in a state of social isolation, disconnected from family, relatives, and others, who dies from suicide, illness, or other causes”. This study investigated the characteristics of individuals who die alone in Korea.
Methods
We constructed a database of lonely death cases by linking data from the Korea Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the Korea National Police Agency with National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) records. A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the demographics, underlying diseases, and healthcare utilization patterns among lonely death cases.
Results
Among the 3122 individuals identified as lonely death cases, 2621 (84.0%) were male and 501 (16.0%) were female. The most common age group was 50-59 years (n=930, 29.8%). The NHIS covered 2161 individuals (69.2%), whereas 961 individuals (30.8%) were enrolled in Medical Aid (MA). The highest number of lonely deaths occurred in Seoul areas, with 1468 cases (47.0%). Mood disorders were diagnosed in 1020 individuals (32.7%), and various alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, were also observed. Outpatient visits increased leading up to death but declined in the final 3 months, while hospitalizations decreased and emergency room visits slightly increased.
Conclusions
Most lonely death cases involved male in their 50s, with a disproportionately high number of MA beneficiaries compared to the general population. Many of these individuals also experienced mental health issues or alcohol-related disorders. Preventing social isolation and strengthening social safety nets are critical to reducing the occurrence of lonely deaths.
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Summary
Korean summary
한국에서 고독사란 법적으로 “가족, 친척 등 주변 사람들과 단절된 채 사회적 고립상태로 생활하던 사람이 자살ㆍ병사 등으로 임종”하는 것으로 정의하고 있다. 고독사 사망자는 대체적으로 50대 남성이었고, 의료급여 수급권자의 비율이 일반 인구보다 월등히 높았으며, 사망자 대다수는 정신건강 문제 또는 알코올성 질환을 앓고 있었다. 사회적 고립의 예방 및 사회안전망 구축은 고독사 예방에 있어 매우 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 보인다.
Key Message
Lonely death is defined as “a person living in a state of social isolation, disconnected from family, relatives, and others, who dies from suicide, illness, or other causes”. This study investigated the characteristics of individuals who die alone in Korea. Most lonely death cases involved male in their 50s, with a disproportionately high number of MA beneficiaries compared to the general population. Many of these individuals also experienced mental health issues or alcohol-related disorders. Preventing social isolation and strengthening social safety nets are critical to reducing the occurrence of lonely deaths.
- What Else Is Needed in the Korean Government’s Master Plan for People With Developmental Disabilities?
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Jin Yong Lee, Jieun Yun
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J Prev Med Public Health. 2019;52(3):200-204. Published online May 7, 2019
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.18.249
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Abstract
Summary
PDFSupplementary Material
- On September 12, 2018, President Jae-In Moon announced the Comprehensive Plan for Lifelong Care for People with Developmental Disabilities, with representatives from the associated government branches (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Employment and Labor) in attendance. The goals of this plan are to provide health, medical, rehabilitative, special education, and social welfare services according to the life-stages of the affected individuals; to reduce parental pressure; to promote social interventions; and to enhance community-level participation in order to create a ‘welfare society in harmony.’ However, in order for the plan to succeed, additional efforts must be made in the following areas. First, an epidemiological survey is needed to understand the scale, prevalence, and incidence of developmental disabilities and to establish an evidence base to support policy development. Second, accurate definitions of developmental disabilities must be established in order to avoid policy discrimination based on impairment type and age. Third, personal evaluations to assess disabled individuals’ unmet needs and customized service designs to deliver those needs are required. Fourth, the plan must fulfill the goals of accessibility and fairness that the government intends to provide. Fifth, the government should consider an integrated financial support system and to propose a detailed plan for monetary distributions. Finally, an integrated system that links health, medical, employment, educational, and welfare services must be constructed.
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Summary
Korean summary
2018년 9월 대통령이 직접 발표한 “발달장애인 평생케어 종합대책”의 성공적인 수행을 위해 필수적인 정책을 제안하였다. 특히, 발달장애인의 정확한 규모, 유병률, 발생률 등 기초적인 현황 파악과 정책 개발을 뒷받침하기 위한 역학연구, 발달장애인 개인평가에 기반한 미충족 필요의 측정과 이를 바탕으로 한 개인별 맟춤형 서비스 디자인, 서비스의 접근성과 형평성 달성, 그리고 보건-의료-고용-교육-복지서비스를 통합적으로 제공할 수 있는 시스템 구축이 필요함을 지적하였다.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - Prevalence and severity of COVID-19 among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in the Republic of Korea
Jieun Yun, Beomjun Kang, Jae-ryun Lee, Hyejin Lee, Jin Yong Lee
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Seung-Mi Yoo, Kyoung-Nam Kim, Sungchan Kang, Hyun Joo Kim, Jieun Yun, Jin Yong Lee
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef - Determining the reasons for unmet healthcare needs in South Korea: a secondary data analysis
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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.2021;[Epub] CrossRef - Factors Underlying Unmet Medical Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(13): 2391. CrossRef - The relationship between spinal pain and temporomandibular joint disorders in Korea: a nationwide propensity score-matched study
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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
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