Factors Related to Korean Adults’ Unmet Medical Needs by Age Group: Data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2019, 2021)

Abstract

Purpose : This study analyzed the current status of Korean adults’ unmet medical needs and factors influencing them by age group. Methods : The sample comprised of 11,092 people aged 19 or older from the 8th data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using IBM SPSS/Win 26.0, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Rao-Scott χ2 test, and complex samples logistic regression. Results : The unmet medical needs’ rate of all adults was 6.6%, and 6.5%, 6.4%, and 7.6% for the 19∼49, 50∼64, and 65-plus age groups, respectively. Next, unmet medical needs were affected by subjective health status (CI: 0.37-0.90), activity restriction (CI: 1.45-4.62), stress (CI: 1.17-2.03), and quality of life (CI: 0.89-0.98) in the 19-49 age group. In the 50∼64 age group, these were subjective health status (CI: 0.29-0.98), stress (CI: 1.01-2.49), aerobic activity (CI: 0.45-0.94), and quality of life (CI: 0.86-0.98). Finally, in the group over 65 years, these were gender (CI: 1.21-3.67), spouse presence (CI: 0.39-0.95), subjective health status (CI: 0.28-0.83), activity restriction (CI: 1.30-2.98), and quality of life (CI: 0.87-0.95). Conclusion : Given the inequality in medical needs by income and age, policies should link health care, related institutions, and existing welfare policies according to age-group specific factors of unmet medical needs.