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An Assessment of Magnitudes and Patterns of Socioeconomic Inequalities across Various Health Problems: A Large National Cross-Sectional Survey in Korea

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  • Ji-Yeon Shin

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
    These 1st authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jiseun Lim

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 34824, Korea
    These 1st authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Myung Ki

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, 73 Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Yeong-Jun Song

    (Jeonnam communicable disease management support team, Chonnam national university Hwasun, Hwasun 58128, Korea)

  • Heeran Chun

    (Department of Health Administration, Jungwon University, Goesan 28024, Korea)

  • Dongjin Kim

    (Health Care Policy Research Department, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Sejong 30066, Korea)

Abstract

Magnitudes of health inequalities present consequences of socioeconomic impact on each health problem. To provide knowledge on the size of health problems in terms of socioeconomic burden, we examined the magnitudes and patterns of health inequalities across 12 health problems. A total of 17,292 participants older than 30 years were drawn from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2010–2012). The age-adjusted prevalence ratios were compared across socioeconomic positions (SEPs) based on income, education, and occupation. The magnitudes of socioeconomic inequalities varied across 12 health problems and, in general, the patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems (i.e., non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and subjective health states). Significant health inequalities across NCDs, such as diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and arthritis, were observed mainly in women. Socioeconomic inequalities in mental health problems, such as depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, were profound for both genders and across SEP measures. Significant socioeconomic inequalities were also observed for subjective health. No or weak associations were observed for injury and HBV infection. The patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems. Mental illnesses appeared to require prioritization of socioeconomic approaches for improvement in terms of absolute prevalence and relative socioeconomic distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Ji-Yeon Shin & Jiseun Lim & Myung Ki & Yeong-Jun Song & Heeran Chun & Dongjin Kim, 2018. "An Assessment of Magnitudes and Patterns of Socioeconomic Inequalities across Various Health Problems: A Large National Cross-Sectional Survey in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:12:p:2868-:d:190688
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