The Implications on Healthcare System of the Unified Korea: Lesson from System Integration Countries
10.4332/KJHPA.2020.30.3.301
- Author:
Yeong Jun JU
1
;
Sung-Eun HUH
;
Joo Eun LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Health Policy and Management
2020;30(3):301-310
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Background:In this study, we aimed to investigate the recent trends for health care indicators including maternal mortality ratio, infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate, life expectancy, years of life lost, and healthcare resources in South Korea, North Korea, Germany, Russian Federation, Mongolia, Vietnam, China, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.
Methods:We used data from five sources: World Health Organization, Federal Institute for Population Research, World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development health statistics, and national statistics.
Results:In the early 1990s, health indicators continued to improve in countries that switched to the health insurance system, but the gap widened in North Korea as health indicators worsened.
Conclusion:The establishment of a sustainable health care system after unification of the Korean peninsula requires substantial changes in the health care system and efforts to improve the health of North Koreans.
