Did the socioeconomic inequalities in avoidable and unavoidable mortality worsen during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea?

Objectives: This study examined changes in socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in Korea before and after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: From 2017 to 2020, age-standardized mortality rates were calculated for all-cause deaths, avoidable deaths (preventable deaths, treatable deaths), and unavoidable deaths using National Health Insurance claims data and Statistics Korea's cause of death data. In addition, the slope index of inequality (SII) and the relative index of inequality (RII) by six income levels (Medical Aid beneficiary group and quintile of health insurance premiums) were computed to analyze the magnitude and change of mortality inequalities.

Area-based inequalities and distribution of healthcare resources for managing diabetes in South Korea: a cross-sectional multilevel analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to identify area-based socioeconomic inequalities in diabetes management and to examine whether the distribution of healthcare resources could explain area-based inequalities in diabetes management.

Design: Cross-sectional multilevel analysis from national survey data.

Setting And Participants: Data were derived from the 2018 Korean Community Health Survey.

A national pilot program for chronic diseases and health inequalities in South Korea.

Background: To achieve the health equity, it is important to reduce socioeconomic inequalities when managing chronic diseases. In South Korea, a pilot program for chronic diseases was implemented at the national level. This study aimed to examine its effect on socioeconomic inequalities in chronic disease management at the individual and regional levels.

Employment Status and Self-Reported Unmet Healthcare Needs among South Korean Employees.

We aimed to examine the association between employment status and self-reported unmet healthcare needs and to identify factors influencing self-reported unmet healthcare needs by employment status. Nationally representative data from the 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Participants were classified by employment status as either permanent or precarious workers.