Health Policy Manag.  2015 Mar;25(1):11-21. 10.4332/KJHPA.2015.25.1.11.

The Effect of Economic Participatory Change on Unmet Needs of Health Care among Korean Adults

• Song HY
• Choi JW
• Park EC

• KMID: 1967211
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2015.25.1.11

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The objective of this research is to investigate and provide analysis of the economic participatory change affecting the unmet needs of health care in Korean adults.
METHODS
We used Korea health panel 4th and 5th data of 10,261 adults. The method of investigation is threefold. First, We identified the regional factors affecting unmet needs of health care. Second, we analyzed the effect of economic participatory change as it affects the unmet needs of health care. Third, we also investigated whether there were discernable differences between the age subgroups.
RESULTS
It was determined that influencing factors included sex, education, economic level, and health status. And after the subgroup analysis of age, we found that the economic participatory change was associated with the economical unmet needs of health care especially for those over 40 years of age. Also the population are facing unemployment enduring particular economic hardship in meeting their medical needs.
CONCLUSION
This study finds that there are some policy recommendations for the sake of medical service equality. Medical welfare policy for those 40 years of age and older has been identified as an area that needs improvement. And considering that those 40 years of age and older are facing unemployment enduring particular economic hardship in meeting their medical needs, this study finds a need for government sponsored medical stipends or subsidizing of medical premiums, co-payment, and other fees.

Keyword

Unmet needs; Economic participation; Korean health panel

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Delivery of Health Care*
Education
Fees and Charges
Humans
Korea
Unemployment