J Korean Med Sci.  2010 Dec;25(Suppl):S105-S111. 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S105.

Work-related Cerebro-Cardiovascular Diseases in Korea

• Kim DS
• Kang SK

• KMID: 1714075
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S105

Abstract

Cerebro-cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of compensable occupational diseases in Korea as in Japan or Taiwan. However, most countries accept only cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart diseases) as compensable occupational diseases if any, but not cerebrovascular diseases. Korea has a prescribed list of compensable occupational diseases. CVD was not included in the list until 1993. In the early 1990s, a case of cerebral infarction was accepted as occupational disease by the Supreme Court. The decision was based on the concept that workers' compensation system is one of the social security systems. In 1994, the government has established a diagnostic criterion of CVD. The crude rate of compensated cerebrovascular disease decreased by 60.0% from 18.5 in 2003 to 7.4 in 2008 per 100,000 workers, and that of compensated coronary heart disease decreased by 60.5% from 3.8 in 2003 to 1.5 in 2008 per 100,000 workers. The compensated cases of CVD dramatically increased and reached its peak in 2003. Since many preventive activities were performed by the government and employers, the compensated cases have slowly decreased since 2003 and sharply decreased after 2008 when the diagnostic criterion was amended. The strategic approach is needed essentially because CVDs are common, serious and preventable diseases which lead to economic burden.

Keyword

Work-related; Cerebrovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Psychosocial Factors; Compensation; Korea

MeSH Terms

*Cardiovascular Diseases/economics/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control
*Cerebrovascular Disorders/economics/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control
Humans
Occupational Diseases/economics/*epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Risk Factors
*Workers' Compensation/economics/legislation & jurisprudence

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Rate of compensated cerebro-cardiovascular diseases in Korea (1996-2009).

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  Fig. 2 Deaths from ischemic heart disease of all and working age population (1983-2009, KNSO).

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  Fig. 3 Deaths from cerebrovascular disease of all and working age population (1983-2009, KNSO).

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