Dataset Information

Unmet healthcare needs and the local extinction index: an analysis of regional disparities impacting South Korea's older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study examines the factors affecting unmet healthcare experiences by integrating individual-and community-level extinction indices.

Methods

Using spatial autocorrelation and multilevel modeling, the study utilizes data from the Community Health Survey and Statistics Korea for 218 local government regions from 2018 to 2019.

Results

The analysis identifies significant clustering, particularly in non-metropolitan regions with a higher local extinction index. At the individual level, some factors affect unmet medical needs, and unmet healthcare needs increase as the local extinction index at the community level increases.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need for strategic efforts to enhance regional healthcare accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations and local infrastructure development.

SUBMITTER: Kwon Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11325592 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Unmet healthcare needs and the local extinction index: an analysis of regional disparities impacting South Korea's older adults.

Kwon Younggyu Y Sohn Minsung M Choi Mankyu M

Frontiers in public health 20240801

<h4>Background</h4>This study examines the factors affecting unmet healthcare experiences by integrating individual-and community-level extinction indices.<h4>Methods</h4>Using spatial autocorrelation and multilevel modeling, the study utilizes data from the Community Health Survey and Statistics Korea for 218 local government regions from 2018 to 2019.<h4>Results</h4>The analysis identifies significant clustering, particularly in non-metropolitan regions with a higher local extinction index. At ...[more]

PMID: 39148647

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Project description:ObjectiveThis study compared disparities between community health characteristics and health literacy levels for hypertension and diabetes by combining community-level characteristics, such as the local extinction index and healthcare resources, with individual-level characteristics based on the Andersen healthcare utilization model.MethodData obtained from the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Community Health Surveys, Korean Statistical Information Service, and National Health Insurance Service were analyzed. The analyses included spatial analysis, propensity score matching, and cross-analysis.ResultsTwenty-five extinction-risk regions (ERRs) were identified in 2017, 26 in 2019, and 29 in 2021, indicating a high risk of extinction and insufficient healthcare resources in non-metropolitan regions. Based on analyses of demographic changes and unmet medical needs at the individual level, we observed increased age and economic activity, decreased healthcare access, and lower education levels in ERRs compared to non-extinction-risk regions (NERRs). No significant differences were found between the regions regarding diagnosis or medication use concerning the health literacy gap for hypertension and diabetes. However, individuals in ERRs were significantly less likely than those in NERRs to be aware of such diseases or educated about their management.DiscussionGiven that healthcare services in ERRs focus on chronic disease management rather than prevention, we propose two directions to reduce health disparities in ERRs. First, the government should encourage cooperation with private healthcare organizations to ensure the provision of health education programs in vulnerable areas. Second, improvements in awareness and education regarding chronic disease management can be achieved through digital healthcare and telemedicine. This study identifies regional disparities in chronic disease prevention and management, providing a basis for policies to ensure healthier communities with health equity.

Project description:IntroductionOptimizing care for young adults with cerebral palsy is crucial for their physical and psychological well-being. The inadequacy of proximal environment may play a role in the provision of health services. The aim of this study is to explore the association between unmet environmental needs in the physical, social and attitudinal domains and unmet healthcare needs in four interventions: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychological counselling.MethodsYoung adults with cerebral palsy were recruited in the SPARCLE3 European multicenter cross-sectional study. Healthcare needs and coverages were assessed using the Youth Health Care, Satisfaction, Utilization and Needs questionnaire. The need and availability of environmental factors in physical, social and attitudinal domains were collected using the European Adult Environment Questionnaire. Logistic regressions were conducted separately for each intervention to measure associations between unmet environmental needs and unmet healthcare needs.ResultsWe studied 310 young adults with cerebral palsy, with a mean age of 24.3 years; 37.4% could not walk independently, 51.5% had an IQ below 70, 34.2% had severe communication difficulties. The most commonly expressed need was physiotherapy (81.6% of participants). Unmet healthcare needs were reported by 20.9%, 32.4%, 40.3% and 49.0% of participants requiring physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological counselling and speech therapy, respectively. The physical environment was never significantly associated with unmet healthcare needs. In contrast, the social environment was significantly associated with unmet healthcare needs across all interventions, with odds ratios over 2.5, depending on the number of unmet needs and the nature of intervention needed. With regard to the attitudinal environment, when at least one unmet attitudinal environmental need was reported, the odds of also reporting an unmet healthcare need were of 3.68 for speech therapy and 3.77 for physiotherapy. The latter association was significant only for individuals with severe motor impairment.DiscussionOur results highlight the importance of the social and attitudinal environment in meeting healthcare needs in young adults with cerebral palsy. The lack of correlation between unmet healthcare needs and the physical environment suggests that it can be partly compensated for by social support.

Dataset Information

Unmet healthcare needs and the local extinction index: an analysis of regional disparities impacting South Korea's older adults.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Unmet healthcare needs and the local extinction index: an analysis of regional disparities impacting South Korea's older adults.

Similar Datasets

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