Health Policy Manag.  2021 Sep;31(3):272-279. 10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.3.272.

Comparative Study on the National Health Screening Programs according to the Health Insurance System

• Lee Y
• Kim E
• Lee D

• KMID: 2525751
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.3.272

Abstract

Background
Korea’s health screening program has been faced the need for changes as the population and diseases structure are changing. In addition to Korea, many countries operate state-led health check-up programs to improve the health level of the people, and the operating methods of the program appear in various forms according to each country’s health insurance system. This study examines other state-led health screening programs and proposes a direction for the development of Korea’s health screening program.
Methods
The study was conducted using the literature review method, and the “country” was set as a unit for the case analysis. The operating method of the health screening programs and the financial resources were compared according to the health insurance system. Five countries were selected as Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Taiwan.
Results
The analyzed countries mainly operate the health screening program as a management method for chronic diseases, but there were differences in the operating method, financing, and targeted subjects and examination items. In most countries, a risk assessment was performed prior to the examination (screening), and the subjects who needed the examination were first selected, and a follow-up management service was provided in accordance with the risk each individual exposed.
Conclusion
Rather than applying the same screening method to populations with different risk levels, a health screening program will be constructed in consideration of the individual’s health level and exposure risk, and the healthcare delivery system will be reorganized so that screening and treatment services can be linked.

Keyword

National health screening; National health insurance; Early diagnosis; Population health management