Trends of Health Status and Medical Utilization Among Korean Baby Boomers: Analysis From Korean Health Panel Survey 2008-2014

Jang, Soong Nang

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The state of health of baby boomers is difficult to describe in a few words. It requires an in-depth understanding and a detailed analysis of the current conditions and related factors.
METHODS
To analyze the differences in the health status among the generations, percentages were derived and generalized estimates equation models of each generation were performed using annual data from the Korea Health Panel Survey 2008-2014. We divided the Korean Health Panel data from 2008 to 2014 into the baby boom generation, older generation, and younger generation based on year of birth. The baby boom generation started with 2,775 people (17.6%) in 2008, and 1,650 people were included in the panel in 2014, comprising approximately 17% of the adult panel population.
RESULTS
As the results show, over time, the mental health, such as depression symptoms and the suicidal ideation, of the baby boom generation has come to be similar to the younger generation, and is getting worse, approaching the level of the older generation. The current older generation and baby boomers have contrasting results in terms of the differences in their depression symptoms, suicidal ideation, exercise habits, self-rated health, and number of illness days.
CONCLUSION
It is time to investigate not only the differences in current status and patterns, but also the size and number of the population of Korean baby boomers suffering from health problems.