Health Policy Manag.
2021 Jun;31(2):225-231. 10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.2.225.
Unmet healthcare Needs Status and Trend of Korea in 2019
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Public Health, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
- 2Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- 3Operation Branch, Medical Dispensary, ROK Army 27th Infantry Division, Hwacheon, Korea
- 4Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- KMID: 2525593
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.2.225
Abstract
- Unmet healthcare is an important indicator to measure accessibility of healthcare services. To examine the latest status of unmet healthcare needs in South Korea, the four different data which is composed of nationally representative sample of South Korean population were used; the Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNAHANES, 2007–2019), the Community Health Survey (CHS, 2008–2019), the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, 2011–2017), and the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS, 2006–2019). The proportion of individuals reporting unmet healthcare needs were 5.8% (KNHANES), 5.3% (CHS), and 11.6% (KHP). Annual percentage change (APC) which identifies trend for the follow-up period was -9.5%, -8.0%, and -6.5%, respectively. The proportion of individuals reporting unmet healthcare needs due to cost were 1.1% (KNAHANES), 0.7% (CHS), 2.4% (KHP), and 0.4% (KOWEPS). The APC was -10.5%, -14.2%, -12.2%, and -19.6%, respectively. Compared to last year, the rate of unmet healthcare needs has declined in general. However, the low-income and the elderly population were reporting the highest rate of unmet health care needs, and the disparity between lowest and highest groups were remained. These results suggest that adequate benefit coverage is needed for low-income and elderly population.
