J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2020 Dec;31(4):514-524. 10.12799/jkachn.2020.31.4.514.

Working Poverty and Health Disparities in Korean Workers

• Lee JH
• Lee B

• KMID: 2512165
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2020.31.4.514

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between working poverty and health status among Korean workers.
Methods
This study is secondary analysis of data extracted from the 2018 Community Health Survey. For the present analysis, 23,575 of the working poor whose household disposable income is below 50.0% of the national median and 111,443 of the working nonpoor were selected. Based on existing literature, a set of variables were chosen from the Community Health Survey. Health status was measured using self-rated health status measure, Patient health Questionnire-9, and EuroQol-5dimension.
Results
The proportion of subjective unhealthy status, depressive symptoms, and poor quality of life were significantly higher among the working poor than among the working nonpoor. After adjusting for general characteristics and health behavior factors, the working poverty was a significant predictor of subjective unhealthy status (AOR=1.32, 95% CI=1.25~1.40), depressive symptoms (AOR=1.61, 95% CI=1.38~1.88]), and poor quality of life (β=-0.02, p<.001).
Conclusion
The current study confirmed the health disparities between the working poor and the working nonpoor. Therefore, health care programs and policies are required for reducing the health inequalities among the workers.

Keyword

Work; Poverty; Health