An Investigation into Chronic Conditions and Diseases in Minors to Determine the Socioeconomic Status, Medical Use and Expenditure According to Data from the Korea Health Panel, 2015
10.24171/j.phrp.2019.10.6.04
- Author:
Jong Hoon MOON
1
Author Information
1. Department of Healthcare and Public Health Research, National Rehabilitation Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea. garnett231@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
adolescents;
chronic disease;
health expenditures;
infant
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Ambulatory Care;
Chronic Disease;
Delivery of Health Care;
Female;
Health Expenditures;
Humans;
Infant;
Korea;
Medicaid;
Outpatients;
Social Class
- From:
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
2019;10(6):343-350
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: This study compared the socioeconomic status, medical use and expenditures for infants (1–5 years), juveniles (6–12 years), and adolescents (13–19 years) with a chronic condition or disease to determine factors affecting health spending.METHODS: Data from 3,677 minors (< 20 years old, without disabilities) were extracted from the Korea Health Panel (2015) database.RESULTS: Minors with chronic conditions or diseases were older (juveniles, and adolescents; p < 0.001), and included a higher proportion of Medicaid recipients (p = 0.004), a higher use of hospital outpatient care (p < 0.001), and higher medical expenditure (p < 0.001) compared to minors without chronic conditions or diseases. Boys were more likely to have a chronic condition or disease than girls (p = 0.036). Adolescents and juveniles were more likely than infants to have a chronic condition or disease (p = 0.001). Medicaid recipients were more likely to have a chronic condition or disease than those who were not Medicaid recipients (p = 0.008). Minors who had been hospital outpatients were more likely to have a chronic condition or disease, compared with minors who had not been an outpatient (p = 0.001). Having a chronic condition or disease, was a factor increasing medical expenditure (p = 0.001). Medical expenditure was higher in infants than in juveniles and adolescents (p = 0.001). Infants had higher rates of medical use when compared with juveniles and adolescents (p = 0.001).CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that systematic health care management for minors with chronic conditions or diseases, is needed.
