• Health Policy and Management
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2017

Suicide is becoming a public health issue in many countries, and even more so in Korea. Korea has the highest suicide rate in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. To address these issues, we investigated the recent trends in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among the adult population. We used data from four sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, '2007-2012, '2013, '2015), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '2008-2009, '2013), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '2012-2015), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '2010-2013). Weighted frequencies and trend tests were used. The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 5.10% (KNHANES, '2015), 8.95% (KCHS, '2013), 2.34% (KOWEPS, '2015), or 5.39% (KHP, '2013). Regarding the suicide attempts, the rate of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.61% (KNHANES, '2015), 0.41% (KCHS, '2013), or 0.04% (KOWEPS, '2015). Average percent change of suicidal ideation during survey year was -2.80% (KNHANES, '2007-2012), 5.78% (KNHANES, '2013-2015), 0.62% (KCHS, '2008-2013), -5.63% (KOWEPS, '2012-2015), and -10.94% (KHP, '2010-2013). Average percent change of suicide attempts during survey year was -3.84% (KNHANES, '2007-2012), 4.55% (KNHANES, '2013-2015), -2.54% (KCHS, '2008-2013), and -18.96% (KOWEPS, '2012-2015). Those who had lower income level were more likely to have self-reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Our results suggest that further efforts are needed for more effective intervention to identify and manage low income strata with suicide problem.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2019

Suicide is a major public health issue that causes over 800,000 deaths each year globally. Korea ranks high in suicide rates, in which around 24.3 per 100,000 individuals are reported to have died by intentional self-harm in 2017 according to Statistics Korea. The aim of this study was to examine the current status and trend of suicide ideation and attempt using data from the following five sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, '07-13, '15-17), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '08-09, '13, '17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '12-17), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '10-13), and Statistics Korea (1983-2017). Suicide ideation and attempts were also further examined based on equalized household income levels. Data published by Statistics Korea were used to show the updated suicide rate and number of deaths by intentional self-harm. The rate of suicide ideation at the recent year was 4.73% (KNHANES, '17), 6.96% (KCHS, '17), 1.63% (KOWEPS, '17), and 5.39% (KHP, '13). That of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.71% (KNHANES, '17), 0.32% (KCHS, '17), and 0.09% (KOWEPS, '17). Annual percentage change of suicidal ideation was -15.4% (KNHANES, '07-17), -2.5% (KCHS, '08-17), -8.6% (KOWEPS, '12-17), and -10.9% (KHP, '10-13). Annual percentage change of suicide attempts was -4.0% (KNHANES, '07-17), -4.4% (KCHS, '08-17), and -14.9% (KOWEPS, '12-17). Individuals with lower income levels were more likely to experience suicide ideation and attempts. Considering that Korea still shows a high suicide rate despite the continuously decreasing trend of suicide ideation and attempt, continuous observation and appropriate policy implementation regarding suicide related problems are necessary.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.87-90
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• 2018

Suicide has been a public health issue in many countries, and Korea has ranked highest suicide rate among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries over a decade. To address these issues, we updated the recent trends in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Korean adults followed by previous data observation. We used data from five sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, '07-12, '13, '15-16), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '08-09, '13), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '12-16), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '10-13), and cause of death data from Statistics Korea ('07-16). We used weighted frequencies and trend tests. The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 5.10% (KNHANES, '15), 8.95% (KCHS, '13), 2.08% (KOWEPS, '16), and 5.39% (KHP, '13). That of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.59% (KNHANES, '16), 0.41% (KCHS, '13), and 0.08% (KOWEPS, '16). Annual percentage change of suicidal ideation was -2.80% (KNHANES, '07-12), 5.78% (KNHANES, '13-15), 0.62% (KCHS, '08-13), -8.50% (KOWEPS, '12-16), and -10.94% (KHP, '10-13). Annual percentage change of suicide attempts was -3.84% (KNHANES, '07-12), 2.26% (KNHANES, '13-16), -2.53% (KCHS, '08-13), and -20.22% (KOWEPS, '12-16). Annual percentage change of death by intentional self-harm was -0.49% (Statistics Korea, '07-16). Individuals who had lower income level were more likely to experience suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. According to these results, the rate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts showed the decreasing tendency. However, the suicide rate of Korea has remained higher than that of OECD countries. Thus, continuous data observation and effective policies on suicide are needed.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.228-236
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• 2022

The aim of this study was updating suicide-related indicators, including the number of suicidal deaths, suicide rate, and the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We observed trends in suicide-related indicators based on up-to-date information. This study used five data sources to evaluate the trends of suicide-related indicators: Statistics Korea (1983-2020), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, 2012-2020), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, 2010-2013, 2016-2018), Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, 2007-2013, 2015-2020), and Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, 2008-2009, 2013, 2017). The suicide rate per 100,000 population decrease from 26.9 in 2019 to 25.7 in 2020. Based on recently available data, the rates of suicidal ideation were 1.48% (KOWEPS, 2020), 2.61% (KHP, 2018), 4.62% (KNHANES, 2019), and 6.96% (KCHS, 2017). Those of suicide attempt as were 0.07% (KOWEPS, 2020), 0.44% (KNHANES, 2020), and 0.32% (KCHS, 2017). Annual percentage change (APC) of suicide rate was -1.87% (Statistics Korea, 2011-2020). APC of suicidal ideation was -10.7% (KOWEPS, 2012-2020), -11.5% (KHP, 2010-2013, 2016-2018), -14.7% (KNHANES, 2007-2013, 2015, 2017, 2019), and -2.5% (KCHS, 2008-2009, 2013, 2017). APC of suicide attempt was -11.3% (KOWEPS, 2012-2019), -5.2% (KNHANES, 2007-2013, 2015-2020), and -4.4% (KCHS, 2008-2009, 2013, 2017). Although the suicide rate in Korea has decreased compared to 10 years ago, it is still at a high level. Thus, continuous observation and appropriate suicide prevention policies are needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to identify regional differences in the high-risk drinking rate among yearly alcohol users in Korea and to identify relevant regional factors for each quintile using quantile regression. Methods: Data from 227 counties surveyed by the 2017 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) were analyzed. The analysis dataset included secondary data extracted from the Korean Statistical Information Service and data from the KCHS. To identify regional factors related to the high-risk drinking rate among yearly alcohol users, quantile regression was conducted by dividing the data into 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% quantiles, and multiple linear regression was also performed. Results: The current smoking rate, perceived stress rate, crude divorce rate, and financial independence rate, as well as one's social network, were related to the high-risk drinking rate among yearly alcohol users. The quantile regression revealed that the perceived stress rate was related to all quantiles except for the 90% quantile, and the financial independence rate was related to the 50% to 90% quantiles. The crude divorce rate was related to the high-risk drinking rate among yearly alcohol users in all quantiles. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that local health programs for high-risk drinking are needed in areas with high local stress and high crude divorce rates.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.112-119
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• 2020

Suicide has been a long-standing problem for global public health, along with almost 800,000 deaths from suicide worldwide in 2016, accounting for 1.4% of all deaths. South Korea was ranked first in suicide mortality in 2018 among countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This study aimed to suggest up-to-date information about suicide-related indicators such as the rate of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide death, and its trends by applying sampling weight to make it nationally representative. In this study, we used the data sources: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, '07-13, '15-18), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '08-09, '13, '17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '12-18), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '10-13), and Statistics Korea (1983-2017). The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 4.73% (KNHANES, '17), 6.96% (KCHS, '17), 2.29% (KOWEPS, '18), and 5.39% (KHP, '13). That of suicide attempt as recent year was 0.51% (KNHANES, '18), 0.32% (KCHS, '17), and 0.15% (KOWEPS, '18). Annual percentage change (APC) of suicidal ideation was -15.4% (KNHANES, '07-13, '15, '17), -2.5% (KCHS, '08-09, '13, '17), -10.8% (KOWEPS, '12-18), and -10.9% (KHP, '10-13). APC of suicide attempt was -4.4% (KNHANES, '07-13, '15-18), -4.4% (KCHS, '08-09, '13, '17), and -13.6% (KOWEPS, '12-18). APC of death by intentional self-harm was -1.25% (Statistics Korea, '07-18). All suicide-related indicators were found to be decreasing in the overall from 2009. Individuals with lower income level were more likely to experience suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Even though suicide rate had been continuously decreasing from its highest point in 2011 (suicide rate: 31.7 per 100,000 population) to 2017 (suicide rate: 24.3 per 100,000 population), it increased again in 2018 (suicide rate: 26.6 per 100,000 population). This information would be grounded on policy implementation for suicide prevention, thus continuous data observation is necessary.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.232-239
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• 2021

This study aimed to update suicide-related indicators including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and the number of suicidal deaths. Based on up-to-date information, we observed the trends of suicide-related indicators. In this study, five data sources were used to observe the trends of suicide-related indicators: Statistics Korea (1983-2019), Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, '07-13, '15-19), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '08-09, '13, '17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '12-19), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '10-13, '16-17). The suicide rate, which peaked in 2011, declined until 2017 and then started to rise again from 2018, recording a suicide rate of 26.9 per 100,000 people in 2019. The rate of suicidal ideation estimated based on the recently available data was 4.62% (KNHANES, '19), 3.51% (KHP, '16), 2.87% (KHP, '17), and 1.70% (KOWEPS, '19). That of suicide attempt as recent year was 0.43% (KNHANES, '19), 0.07% (KOWEPS, '19). Annual percentage change of death by intentional self-harm was -2.11% (Statistics Korea), and that of suicidal ideation was -14.7% (KNHANES), -2.5% (KCHS), -10.6% (KOWEPS), and -11.3% (KHP). Annual percentage change of suicide attempt was -5.0% (KNHANES), -4.4% (KCHS), and -11.3% (KOWEPS). The lower the income level, the higher the probability of experiencing suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Considering the recent increase in suicide rate in contrast to the continuing decline in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, continuous data observation and appropriate policies regarding suicide prevention are needed.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.194-292
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to update suicide-related indicators, including the number of suicidal deaths, suicide rate, and the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We observed trends in suicide-related indicators based on up-to-date information. Methods: This study used five data sources to evaluate the trends of suicide-related indicators: Statistics Korea (1983-2021), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, 2012-2021), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, 2010-2013, 2016-2019), Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, 2007-2013, 2015-2021), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, 2008-2009, 2013, 2017, 2021). Results: The suicide rate per 100,000 population increased from 25.7 in 2020 to 26.0 in 2021. The rates of suicidal ideation from recently available data were 4.28% (KNHANES, 2021), 6.52% (KCHS, 2021), 1.61% (KOWEPS) and 7.10% (KHP, 2019). The suicidal attempts rates were 0.46% (KNHANES, 2021) and 0.34% (KCHS, 2021). The annual percentage change (APC) of suicide rate showed that suicide rates increased in the younger population (APC=9.02% in <19 years, APC=5.13 in 20-39 years) although the rates decreased in the older population (APC=-3.37 in 60-79 years, APC=-2.25 in >80 years). Conclusion: The suicide rate and related indicators increased in 2021 compared to 2020. Thus, continuous observation and appropriate suicide prevention policies as well as studies about the factors that affected the increase in 2021 are needed.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.131-142
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• 2022

This study aims to explore the relationship between onset drinking age and the current Body Mass Index (BMI) level stratified by sex. This study used the data of Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) 2019, of which 206,987 participants included in study populations for multivariable binomial logistic regression model. The study results show the evidence that the early age of onset alcohol consumption had significantly associated with abnormal BMI status in adult male. These results could be explained by high alcohol consumption and sex difference in social atmosphere which encourages men to drink more. Our findings suggest the need to prevent problem drinking for reducing the long-term side effects of health.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.183-193
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• 2020

Objectives: As an ecological study, this study was performed to identify the community-level variation of health related quality-of-life (HRQOL), and to explore the factors that explain the variation, using 2017 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) data. Methods: Community health indicators of KCHS, which are correlated with the EQ-5D index of Si-gun-gu districts, were selected as independent variables. Multiple linear regression model was used to derive factors that explain regional variations in the EQ-5D index. Results: The EQ-5D index variation in 229 districts nationwide was 1.1 times for extremal quotient (EQ) and 1.0 for coefficient of variance (CV). The Si-gun-gu districts with the EQ-5D index in the lower 25% were more distributed in the province (27.7%) than in the metropolitan area (20.3%). As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, the depressed mood experience rate, perceived stress rate, suicide ideation rate, and physician diagnosed arthritis rate were derived as major factors of the variation. Conclusions: In order to reduce the gap in HRQOL between the districts, the priority of local health policies should be placed on the above factors including psychosocial factors.