OBJECTIVES: Individuals with disabilities are at greater risk of hospitalization than the general population. We examined 10-year trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations (PPH) in Korea, comparing individuals with and without disabilities and assessing age-specific patterns. METHODS: Using National Health Information Database claims data (2010–2019), we established a fixed cohort of newly registered individuals with disabilities and control subjects statistically matched (1:1.5) at baseline. Annual PPH rates among patients with each condition were calculated and age- and sex-standardized according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Health Care Quality Indicators definitions. Trends and annual percent changes (APCs) were analyzed by disability status and age group (non-older: 30–64; older adults: ≥65 years). RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2019, PPH rates declined significantly in both groups. Among individuals with disabilities, the steepest decline was observed for hypertension (APC, −15.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −17.7 to −13.7), whereas congestive heart failure showed the largest reduction among individuals without disabilities (APC, −7.8%; 95% CI, −10.8 to −4.7). Declines were generally greater among non-older adults aged 30–64 years, regardless of disability status. The disparity between disability and non-disability groups narrowed over the decade, primarily due to larger improvements among non-older adults. Older adults with disabilities consistently exhibited the highest PPH rates for most conditions, whereas younger individuals with disabilities had the highest rates for diabetes. CONCLUSIONS PPH rates declined over the decade among both individuals with and without disabilities, particularly for hypertension and among non-older adults. However, older adults with disabilities remain at elevated risk, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to improve access to community-based primary care.

Background: Few studies have examined the performance of the public long-term care insurance (LTCI) from the perspective of geographic equity. This study investigated regional variations and associated factors in the supply and utilization of nursing home care within and also between Japan and Korea. Methods: A comparative dataset was developed by extracting data from 2013–2015 LTCI statistics yearbooks and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development regional statistics, as well as other comparable data in Japan and Korea. The unit of analysis was the prefecture in Japan and the province in Korea. We computed variation indices and conducted regression analyses for regional variations within each country and decomposition analyses to examine the variations between the countries. Results: The overall regional supply and use of nursing home care were higher in Japan, but the regional variations in Korea were larger than in Japan. In both countries, the nursing home supply was negatively associated with the proportion of older people with independent living. Nursing home use was also negatively associated with the supply of hospital beds and home care agencies in Korea; the relationship was the opposite in Japan, however. The country-based differences were more likely to be explained by differences in the distributions of the variables included in the analytical model than country-specific characteristics. Conclusion Regional-level nursing home supply and use were unequal in both countries, and the contributing factors were not the same. Policy efforts are needed to advance regional equality in long-term care (LTC) and collaboration between health and LTC institutions for frail older people, especially in Korea.