• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.97-107
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• 2016

Objectives : This study aims to : (i) characterize and differentiate between two different periods of baby boomers, (ii) study the utilization of their health care services, and (iii) establish effective ways of providing better health service utilization and preventive policy strategies for upcoming and older generations. Methods : A multiple regression analysis using descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, and dummy variables was utilized to access the presence of correlations between socio-demographic factors and health care service utilization. Results : Medical insurance type, marital status, and chronic disease were factors that influenced health care service utilization. Furthermore, the factors that influenced individual medical expenses were cohabitation, inpatient days, and chronic disease. Conclusions : Primary findings and exploratory statistics revealed that there were strong correlations and interaction among some of the predictor variables. Because of the chronologically limited nature of the sample data set gathered in 2012, it would be helpful to continue to develop or research related constructs that may capture relationships more effectively among extended populations.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.127-144
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the impact of chronic diseases on adolescent's peer relationships, and (2) to investigate the mediating effect of self-perceived health status and resilience on the relationship between their physical health states and peer relationships. The authors used the first-wave panel data from 'the Korean Children-Youth Panel Survey'. The sample included 2,351 first-grade of middle school students(boys 50.1%, girls 49.9%). Among the subjects examined 48.11% had chronic diseases. Using maximum likelihood estimation with Amos18(Arbuckle, 2009), SEM software, structural equation modeling was tested. The major findings were as follows : 1. Adolescents' chronic diseases had a negative impact on peer relationships. 2. Self-perceived health status and resilience had a mediating effect. This suggests that self-perceived health status and resilience could be protective factors when it comes to perceive peer relationships more positively for adolescents with chronic diseases. 3. Resilience was directly affected by self-perceived health status. This indicates that positive self-perception about their health status encourages adolescents with chronic diseases to be more resilient and to more positively affect their perception of their relationships with peers.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2024

Objectives : Anxiety is an important mental health symptom associated with healthcare utilization. This research aims to identify the demographic, socio-economic, and health-related factors associated with the use of Korean medicine (KM) treatments in adults experiencing anxiety. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the Korea Health Panel Annual Data 2019. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationships between KM utilization and various factors such as economic activity, perceived stress levels, and presence of physical discomfort. The study sample included 552 adults experiencing anxiety. Results : Among the subjects, 19.20% were using both conventional treatment and KM treatment. The analysis revealed that individuals engaged in economic activities were more likely to use KM treatments compared to those who were not (odds ratio [OR] = 2.207, 95% confidential interval [CI] = 1.316 to 3.699). Additionally, individuals reporting high levels of pain or discomfort showed a significantly higher likelihood of using both KM and conventional medical services (OR = 2.933, 95% CI = 1.645 to 5.231). Musculoskeletal conditions were the most common reason for KM utilization among the study participants. Conclusion : The findings suggest that economic activity and the severity of physical discomfort significantly influence the use of KM treatments among adults with anxiety. These insights could inform healthcare policy and the integration of KM services into broader health management strategies for anxiety.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.599-616
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• 2011

This research was performed to investigate the determination factors of medical service to cover the fee for selecting a doctor which is one of the most important causes of debilitating national health insurance in Korea. Data was from Korea Health Panel and analyzed by Dutton(1986)'s medical service model which was an extended Anderson Model and was widely used in the researches on determination factors of medical service. The results were as follows; In the determinants of selecting a doctor in specialized medical institutions and general hospitals, patients with serious diseases selected doctors more often than other patients. By industrial accident compensation insurance law and enforcement ordinances, insurance covers the fee of selecting a doctor in the hospitals appointed by Labor Welfare Corporation for the patients in critical conditions under industrial accident compensation insurance, while health insurance patients pay the fee themselves for selecting a doctor in all cases. It is suggested that patients with serious diseases proved by medical opinion be provided with health care insurance in selecting a doctor and that the health insurance benefit coverage be enhanced by staged lowering of patient's cost-sharing.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.62-80
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the attitude toward the increasing role of private health insurance(PHI). In the Korea Welfare Panel Data 2007, a sample of 1,675 (adjusted by weight value: 1,607) respondents on an opinion on promoting PHI was used in the study. With independent variables including socio-demographic characteristics, health status, health-related behavior, and opinions on welfare service, ordered-probit model was used to analyze the attitude toward PHI. Negative opinion on the increasing role of PHI were responded by 54.6%(n=877) of the respondents, whereas 22.2%(n=373) were positive and 23.2%(n=357) were neutral. Old people, the better off, those with worse self-assessed health status, and those having an experience of health examination tend to have the positive attitude toward the increasing role of PHI. Women, those with chronic diseases or disorders and those who do not agree that comprehensive welfare benefits reduce work incentive showed negative attitude toward PHI. When comparing the needs for PHI before and after medical utilization, ex-ante need tends to strengthen the tendency to support private health insurance. This study will contribute to the discussion on the optimal mix of public and private health insurance in Korea by a better recognition of attitude toward PHI and health care system.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2024

Objectives: This study analyzed the Korea Health Panel Annual Data 2019 to investigate factors related to the use of non-insured Korean medicine (KM) treatment in individuals with chronic diseases. The non-insured KM treatments of interest were herbal decoction (HD) and pharmacopuncture (PA). Methods: Among adults aged 19 or older, 6,159 individuals with chronic diseases who received outpatient KM treatment at least once in 2019 were included. They were divided into three groups according to the KM treatment used: (1) basic insured KM non-pharmacological treatment (BT) group (n = 629); (2) HD group (n = 256); (3) PA group (n = 184). Logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with favoring HD or PA use over BT. Potentially relevant candidate factors were classified using the Andersen Behavior Model. Results: Compared to BT, the 1st to 3rd quartiles of income compared to the 4th quartile (odds ratio: 1.50 to 2.06 for HD; 2.03 to 2.83 for PA), health insurance subscribers compared to medical aid (odds ratio: 2.51; 13.43), and presence of musculoskeletal diseases (odds ratio: 1.66; 1.91) were significantly positively associated with HD and PA use. Moreover, the presence of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio: 1.46) and neuropsychiatric disease (odds ratio: 1.97) were also significantly positively associated with HD use. Conclusion: The presence of some chronic diseases, especially musculoskeletal diseases, was significantly positively associated with HD and PA use, while low economic status was significantly negatively associated with HD and PA use, indicating the potential existence of unmet medical needs in this population. Since chronic diseases impose a considerable health burden, the results of this study can be used for reference for future health insurance coverage policies in South Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.279-291
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• 2024

Objective: This was to develop headforms for the labor population, based on a three-dimensional(3D) face dimensions data base(DB) and a principal component analysis(PCA) fit test panel, in selection, use and maintenance of respirators in Korea. Methods: This study was part of a two-year-project initiated in 2021. The study was designed and conducted in line with ISO 16976-2 while subjects were those employed in the development of the PCA fit test panel. The approaches included literature review; examination on conformity of the 3D face dimensions DB; and development of headforms representing the labor population. The mean data were used in order to construct each model of the headforms through a way of 3D modeling and 3D printing technology. Results: A total of 2,752 subjects were determined. Five models of headforms(small, medium, large, long-narrow, short-wide) were completely constructed for the labor population. For example, means of the 10 face dimensions for medium headform model were: minimum frontal breadth 106 mm, face width 136 mm, jaw width 127 mm, face length 111 mm, interpupillary distance 69 mm, head breadth 164 mm, nose protrusion 12 mm, nose breadth 34 mm, nasal root breadth 35 mm, and nose length 50 mm. Conclusions: Five models of headforms were newly constructed using the study data. It is likely desirable that the constructed headforms, together with the 3D face dimensions DB as well as the PCA fit test panel, can be utilized more effectively in selection, use and maintenance of respirators for users including the labor population.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.82-85
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• 2019

Unmet healthcare needs are being used as an important indicator of the accessibility of healthcare services worldwide. To examine current status and trends of unmet needs in Korea, we used data from four sources: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2007-2017); the Community Health Survey (CHS 2008-2017); the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP 2011-2015); and the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS 2006-2017). The proportion of individual reporting unmet healthcare needs as of 2017 was 8.8% (KNHANES), 10.6% (CHS), and 12.4% (KHP as of 2015). The proportion of households reporting unmet healthcare needs due to cost was 0.5% (KOWEPS). Annual percentage change was -19.2%, -13.3%, -5.8%, and -13.3% respectively. Low income populations had more unmet healthcare needs than high income populations. However, unlike the last two studies, the main reason for unmet medical reasons was that there was no time regardless of income level.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the reciprocal causal relationship between social activities and health with reference to the cognitive function level among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal data analysis using the $4^{th}$ (Time 1) and $5^{th}$ (Time 2) waves from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing adopting cross-lagged panel analysis (CLPA). Results: A total of 3,473 community-dwelling older adults were included in the analysis: 2,053 in the normal cognitive function group, 912 in the mild cognitive impairment group, and 508 in the moderate to severe cognitive impairment group. The CLPA revealed that higher levels of social activities at Time 1 significantly influenced better subjective health perception at Time 2 in all three groups. In addition, better subjective health perception at Time 1 significantly influenced higher levels of social activities at time 2 only in the normal cognitive function group. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that participating in social activities has positive effects on health regardless of the cognitive function level in community-dwelling older adults. This finding suggests that there is a need to develop strategies that can be used to encourage older adults with cognitive decline to maintain participation in social activities.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.616-625
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the BMI and suicidal ideation using Korean Health Panel data from 2009 to 2013 to identify risk factors for suicide. We conducted a logistic regression analysis using the R statistical package to analyze the relationship between the BMI and the suicidal ideation. The results of this study show that all models with BMI had a statistically significant as a significant variable. It was found that the obese group was more likely to suicide ideation than the other groups. Based on these results, we try to find social implications for suicide prevention and intervention.