Health Inequalities in Korea: Current Conditions and Implications.

Yu Mi Kim; Myoung Hee Kim

doi:10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.6.431

Articles

Page Path: HOME > J Prev Med Public Health > Volume 40(6); 2007 > Article

Review Health Inequalities in Korea: Current Conditions and Implications.: Yu Mi Kim, Myoung Hee Kim; Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2007;40(6):431-438
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.6.431

5,407 Views
147 Download
24 Crossref
20 Scopus

¹Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine.
²Department of Preventive Medicine, Eulji University College of Medicine. mhkin@eulji.ac.kr

Full Article

Download PDF

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to summarize the current conditions and implications of health inequalities in South Korea. METHODS: Through a literature review of empirical studies and supplementary analysis of the data presented in the 1998, 2001, and 2005 KNHANEs, we evaluated the extent and trends of socioeconomic inequalities in both health risk factors, such as smoking, physical activity, and obesity, and outcomes, such as total mortality, subjective poor health status by self-reports and metabolic syndrome. Relative risks and odds ratios were used to measure differences across socioeconomic groups, and the relative index of inequality was used to evaluate the changes in inequalities over time. RESULTS: We found clear inequalities to various degrees in most health indicators. While little change was observed in mortality differences over time, the socioeconomic gaps in risk factors and morbidity have been widening, with much larger differences among the younger population. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic inequalities are pervasive across various health indicators, and some of them are increasing. The trends in socioeconomic inequalities in health should be carefully monitored, and comprehensive measures to alleviate health inequalities are needed, especially for young populations.

Keywords: Health inequalities Inequities Socioeconomic position

Figure & Data

References

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Analysis of Major Factors Affecting the Quality of Life of the Elderly in Korea in Preparation for a Super-Aged Society
Bo-Ram Kim, Hyang-Hee Hwang
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(15): 9618. CrossRef
Analysis of energy intakes, physical activities and metabolic syndrome according to the income level in Korean elderly people: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016‒2018
Eun-Sook Sung, Sijin Lee, Youngjun Lee, Seunghee Lee, Jonghoon Park
Physical Activity and Nutrition.2022; 26(2): 028. CrossRef
Effect of socioeconomic deprivation on outcomes of diabetes complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a nationwide population-based cohort study of South Korea
Dong-Woo Choi, Sang Ah Lee, Doo Woong Lee, Jae Hong Joo, Kyu-Tae Han, SeungJu Kim, Eun-Cheol Park
BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.2020; 8(1): e000729. CrossRef
Interactions between Ambient Air Particles and Greenness on Cause-specific Mortality in Seven Korean Metropolitan Cities, 2008–2016
Sera Kim, Honghyok Kim, Jong-Tae Lee
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(10): 1866. CrossRef
Recent Trends in Blood Pressure According to Economic Status: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 2005 to 2015
Hyun-Young Shin, Hee-Taik Kang
Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health.2018; 30(3): 266. CrossRef
The Association between Socioeconomic Status and Adherence to Health Check-up in Korean Adults, Based on the 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Hyun-Young Shin, Hee-Taik Kang, Jae Woo Lee, Hyoung-Ji Lim
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2018; 39(2): 114. CrossRef
Health Inequality in Health Checkups
Jungun Lee
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2018; 39(2): 65. CrossRef
Anemia after gastrectomy in long-term survivors of gastric cancer: A retrospective cohort study
Ji-Hye Jun, Jung Eun Yoo, Jung Ah Lee, Young Sik Kim, Sung Sunwoo, Bum Soo Kim, Jeong-Hwan Yook
International Journal of Surgery.2016; 28: 162. CrossRef
Physical activity disparities by socioeconomic status among metabolic syndrome patients: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Hyo Lee, Byung-Hoon Kim
Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation.2016; 12(1): 10. CrossRef
Socioeconomic Inequality in mortality using 12-year follow-up data from nationally representative surveys in South Korea
Young-Ho Khang, Hye-Ryun Kim
International Journal for Equity in Health.2016;[Epub] CrossRef
Differences between middle-aged and older people in association between income level and remaining teeth
Sun-Yi Kim, Jeong-Keun Lee, Yun-Hwan Lee, Ki-Hong Chun
Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health.2016; 40(1): 9. CrossRef
Health inequalities in hypertension and diabetes management among the poor in urban areas: a population survey analysis in south Korea
Young-Jee Jeon, Chung Reen Kim, Joo-Sung Park, Kyung-Hyun Choi, Myoung Joo Kang, Seung Guk Park, Young-Jin Park
BMC Public Health.2016;[Epub] CrossRef
Influences of ParentalEducation Level on Oral Health
Ji Hye Kim, Mee Hee Lee, Hye Youn Kim
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2015; 16(2): 1182. CrossRef
Health behavior affecting on the regional variation of standardized mortality
Jin A Han, Soo Jeong Kim, Se Rom Kim, Ki Hong Chun, Yun Hwan Lee, Soon Young Lee
Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2015; 32(3): 23. CrossRef
Working conditions and leisure‐time physical activity among waged workers in South Korea: A cross‐sectional study
Chungah Kim, Youngtae Cho
Journal of Occupational Health.2015; 57(3): 259. CrossRef
Trend of Suicide Rates According to Urbanity among Adolescents by Gender and Suicide Method in Korea, 1997–2012
Kyung-Hwa Choi, Dong-Hyun Kim
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2015; 12(5): 5129. CrossRef
Trends in income-related health inequalities in self-assessed health in Korea, 1998–2011
Jong Won Min
Global Public Health.2014; 9(9): 1053. CrossRef
Widening social disparities in alcohol-attributable deaths among Korean men aged 40–59 years during the transitional period of the economic crisis (1995–2005)
Eunyoung Shim, Youngtae Cho
International Journal of Public Health.2013; 58(4): 521. CrossRef
Health Inequalities Policy in Korea: Current Status and Future Challenges
Young-Ho Khang, Sang-il Lee
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2012; 27(Suppl): S33. CrossRef
National Screening Program for Transitional Ages in Korea: A New Screening for Strengthening Primary Prevention and Follow-up Care
Hyun Su Kim, Dong Wook Shin, Won Chul Lee, Young Taek Kim, Belong Cho
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2012; 27(Suppl): S70. CrossRef
Difference in Health-related Quality of Life among Social Classes and Related Factors in Korea
Gyeong-Tae Lim, In-Sun Kwon, Soon-Young Kim, Young-Chae Cho, Hea-Sung Nam
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(5): 2189. CrossRef
Health status and epidemiological capacity and prospects: WHO Western Pacific Region
Tony Blakely, Frank Pega, Yosikazu Nakamura, Robert Beaglehole, Liming Lee, Colin Fonotau Tukuitonga
International Journal of Epidemiology.2011; 40(4): 1109. CrossRef
Analysis for the Impact of Adulthood and Childhood Socioeconomic Positions and Intergenerational Social Mobility on Adulthood Health
Jae-Hee Seo, Ho Kim, Young-Jeon Shin
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2010; 43(2): 138. CrossRef
Socioeconomic Inequity in Self-Rated Health Status and Contribution of Health Behavioral Factors in Korea
Minkyung Kim, Woojin Chung, Seungji Lim, Soojin Yoon, Jakyoung Lee, Eunkyung Kim, Lanju Ko
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2010; 43(1): 50. CrossRef

Cite

Related articles