• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.561-569
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• 2022

A study was conducted to determine whether there is a difference in the incidence of kidney cancer according to income level and the difference in delayed diagnosis. To this end, the incidence of kidney cancer in Korea was analyzed by income level and by stage. From 2015 to 2017, a national kidney cancer cohort was established by linking the KCCR(Korea Central Cancer Registry), NHISS(National health insurance sharing service), and the HIRA(Health insirance review and assessment service) database to calculate the kidney cancer incidence by stage and income level. During the study period, the incidence of kidney cancer in Korea increased in all income deciles, but decreased only in the medical aid population. The incidence of kidney cancer in Korea was 7.35 per 100,000 people, and 83.54% of them were locoregional kidney cancer. In the top 20% of the income decile, there was a high incidence of 21.46 cases per 100,000 people, among which 18.37 cases were locoregional kidney cancer. On the other hand, even after adjusting for risk factors related to kidney cancer, it was confirmed that the lower the income level, the higher the risk of being diagnosed with kidney cancer with distant metastasis (lowest income 20% adj.OR 1.807, 95% CI 1.411-2.222). In the insured population, the risk ratio of being diagnosed with unknown stage was 1.926 (95% CI 1.317, 2.816). The higher the income level, the higher the frequency of early cancer diagnosis, but the lower the income level, the higher the risk of being diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer or an unknown stage, so health inequality according to income level was observed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.959-976
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to understand socio-demographic factors related to older adults' participation patterns in lifelong education. For the purpose, this study used the raw data of 2017 Survey of the Living Conditions of the Elderly (SLCE) conducted by The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. From the data of 10,073 older adults, their lifelong education participation, participating program types, participating organizations, and participating frequency were analyzed by their sex, age, educational level, household income, the longest job status, and health status. This study found that female, age of 70-74 and 75-79, educational levels of high school and higher, the longest job status of regular employees and unpaid family workers, and decent health status of older adults more participated in lifelong education. According to lifelong education program types, significant differences were found between education groups of middle school/lower and groups of high school/higher and between 1, 2 quintile income groups and 3, 4, 5 quintile income groups. In relation to the participating organizations, groups of 70 years and older, middle school and higher education level, under 3 quintile income, and poor health tended to participate in lifelong education at the elderly welfare center, senior citizens, and elderly classrooms. In terms of participation frequency, high school and college/higher than 0 year of school education, and regular workers than unpaid family workers were more frequently participated in lifelong education. This study showed the inequality in lifelong education participation according to older adults' demographic characteristics; finally, this study suggested necessary policies and academic discussions for future older adults' lifelong education.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of uninsured herbal medicine(UHM) users and the economic and social barriers of UHM utilization. Methods : We used the Korea Health Panel Data, representative national survey on medical utilization and cost, provided by National Health Insurance Service and Korea Institiute of Health and Social Affairs. The frequency analysis was used to identify the characteristics of the respondents, and the cross-analysis (${\chi}^2-test$) was used to verify the relationship between their characteristics and the usage of UHM. In order to analyze the determinants of using the UHM considering the individual's characteristics, logistic regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted for those who used the Korean medicine (KM) outpatient service in 2015. Results : The usage of UHM was significantly lower for those (1) who's age of 20 to 65; (2) who have the university or higher education degree; (3) who live in Jeju province, and (4) who bought the herbal medicine for other health related purposes. On the other hand, the usage of UHM for those (1) who have the first quintile of household income; (2) who have the chronic respiratory disease; (3) who have been taking the medicine for health promotion purpose for more than 3 months and (4) who have purchased the food which has health promotion function was significantly higher than others. The patients who have chronic musculoskeletal diseases accounted the most among the UHM users. Conclusions : There was the considerable inequality in the usage of UHM among household income groups, which provides policy rationale for UHM to be covered by national health insurance. To facilitate the coverage expansion, restrictive covering model can be considered for children and adolescents, or for patients with muskuloskeletal diseases who have the high demand for UHM.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.345-354
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• 2020

Background: This study purposed to examine the difference in the prevalence of obesity at each stage among people with and without disabilities considering the severity and type of disability. Methods: The study targeted a total of 1,315,967 people, including 68,418 disabled and 1,247,549 non-disabled, who completed the national health screenings. Logistic analysis and average marginal effect analysis were conducted in three stages (pre-obesity, obesity, severe obesity). Those analyses were conducted considering the severity and type of disabilities. Results: People with disabilities were more likely to be at all stages of obesity than non-disabled people. In severely disabled people, the probability of obesity was higher than non-disabled people at all stages of obesity, but mildly disabled people had a higher only in the severe obesity stage, no difference in obesity stage, and a low in the pre-obesity stage. In physical and mental disabilities, the probability of obesity was higher than non-disabled people at all stages of obesity, but external physical function and internal organs disabled had a lower in the obesity and pre-obesity stage, and no difference in severe obesity stage. Conclusion: This study found that people with disabilities had a higher relationship with obesity than people without disabilities. In addition, severity and types of disabilities have different effects on the stage of obesity. Therefore, it is necessary to care about the health inequality and health of disabled people considering their severity and types of disabilities.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2019

Background: The health of the economically active population contributes to increased corporate productivity by reducing the productivity loss caused by disease and increasing job efficiency, which in turn is a national benefit. Since the economically active population is a concept encompassing workers and a source of economic development for a country, that population's health should be treated with importance not only from a personal standpoint but also at a national level. Methods: In this study, data of 11,007 adults aged 20 years and older who participate in economic activities were analyzed in the five-year Korea Health Panel Study from 2010 to 2014 including the number of dental visits and dental medical expenses. Results: Factors related to "gender," "education level," "age," "duty category," "income level," "employment type," "national health insurance," and "chronic disease status" of the economically active population are affected in relation to the number of visits and dental medical expenses. The number of dental visits increased with higher education levels (p<0.001), and the number of visits to the dentist increased with older age (p <0.001). Dental medical expenses were 91,806 Korean won (KRW) more for "white-collar workers" than for "blue-collar workers" (p<0.03), and 127,674 KRW more for "regular workers" than for "atypical workers" (p<0.02). Conclusion: When it is necessary to improve policies to enhance the efficiency of the distribution of health and medical resources in the overall balance of the dental health sector, we should try to identify various factors of oral health disorder due to income inequality among the classes according to the country's employment type in order to find ways to reduce the health gap among the social classes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2023

Purpose : Although Korea's health insurance system and access to medical care are well established compared to other countries, the rate of non-fulfillment of dental treatment is high. Medical use rates can be affected by economic characteristics, individual heatlh condtions, health concerns, and health behaviors. This study was implemented to investigate the effect of the middle-aged elderly people's family living together on the dental examination rate and to use it as basic data for program development, research, and poicies to promote oral health. Methods : Raw data from the 7th national health and nutrition survey conducted by the Korea centers for disease control and prevention (2016~2018) were used and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 Version (IBM, United States). Results : As a result of the study family types accroding to general characteristics, the more women are (p<.001), the higther the age (p<.001), the lower the hosehold income level (p<.001), the lower the educational background (p<.001), the more people who live in Eup-Myeon (p<.001) It was fouend that the rate of living alone was high. The dental examination rate according to general characteristics was related to age (p<.001), income (p<.001), and educational background (p<.001), and the higher the examination rate was in the same (p<.001), and the higher the family living together (p<.001). Factors influencing whether or not dental treatment was not performed were in the following order: household income (p<.001), age (p=.001), and family type (p=.017). Conclusion : The above results confirmed the relationship between family membership and dental examination rates, and measures such as the development and operation of participatory programs to improve public oral health by resolving medical inequality and enhancing health equity, and it is believed that the development of professional manpower and the operation of education and programs for professionals are necessary.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2020

Objectives: Using the annual data from the 2016 Korean Health Panel, this study aims to identify the factors that affect the dental utilization and expenditure of patients with chronic diseases, and to provide basic data to explain the inequality gap in dental utilization. Methods: The dental utilization and expenditure of 3,557 patients with chronic diseases were analyzedfor frequency using the SPSS Windows version 23.0 (SPSS Inc. IL, USA). Analysis of the factors that affect dental utilization and expenditure were performed using a multiple regression analysis. The level of statistical significance was 0.05. Results: The frequency of dental utilization in patients with chronic diseases was high for subjects who were younger than 65 years and those whose education level was below high school. The frequency of dental utilization was relatively lower for subjects who did not have disabilities and those with healthier subjective health status. The dental expenditure of patients with chronic diseases was higher in subjects who were younger than 65 years and those with greater household income. Conclusions: The above findings suggest that a plan is needed to control dental utilization by efficiently managing chronic diseases, and that a policy-based plan is needed to devise ways to supplement the uninsured medical expenses of dental care.

• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2023

Purpose - The pandemic has magnified and deepened existing socioeconomic disparities, including healthcare, education, income, gender, and housing. This study aims to examine the intersectionality of these disparities and their implications for promoting equity and justice. Research design, data, and methodology - This study is a comprehensive review of the literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on socioeconomic disparities. The review includes empirical studies, policy reports, and academic articles on healthcare, education, income, gender, and housing disparities. Result - The pandemic has exposed significant disparities in healthcare, education, income, gender, and housing. Healthcare disparities have been highlighted, and there is a need for more equitable access to care and addressing social determinants of health. Educational and income disparities are closely linked, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. Gender disparities have been exacerbated, with women experiencing disproportionate impacts on their health, well-being, and economic security. The pandemic has highlighted the need for safe, stable, and affordable housing. Conclusion - The pandemic has brought to light numerous socioeconomic disparities that require systemic change to address. Promoting equity and justice requires a comprehensive, long-term approach that addresses systemic factors and promotes social and economic equity. By taking action to address these issues, we can create a more just and equitable society that promotes the health and well-being of all its members.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3793-3796
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• 2016

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of death, especially in developed countries. The human development index (HDI) and its dimensions seem correlated with incidence and mortality rates of PC. This study aimed to assess the association of the specific components of HDI (life expectancy at birth, education, gross national income per 1000 capita, health, and living standards) with burden indicators of PC worldwide. Materials and Methods: Information of the incidence and mortality rates of PC was obtained from the GLOBOCAN cancer project in year 2012 and data about the HDI 2013 were obtained from the World Bank database. The correlation between incidence, mortality rates, and the HDI parameters were assessed using STATA software. Results: A significant inequality of PC incidence rates was observed according to concentration indexes=0.25 with 95% CI (0.22, 0.34) and a negative mortality concentration index of -0.04 with 95% CI (-0.09, 0.01) was observed. Conclusions: A positive significant correlation was detected between the incidence rates of PC and the HDI and its dimensions including life expectancy at birth, education, income, urbanization level and obesity. However, there was a negative significant correlation between the standardized mortality rates and the life expectancy, income and HDI.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.123-128
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• 2019

This study divided 409 local residents in G city of Gyeongsangbuk-do into urban area and rural area, and analyzed the satisfaction with using public health center. The subjects of this study were 284 people who had experience using public health centers among 409 people. In rural areas, satisfaction with general care, oriental care, dental care, physical therapy, examination, and vaccination was low. To improve this, it is necessary to expand and improve facilities so that smooth public health services can be provided to local residents. It is necessary to implement health care policies to resolve medical inequality between urban areas and rural areas.