The current condition of the workers’ general health examination in South Korea: a retrospective study

Abstract

BackgroundBusiness owners in the Republic of Korea must take part in the workers’ general health examination. However, there have been few formal analyses of the uptake of this examination by employees. In the present study, we examined the rates of participation in medical examinations according to age group, health insurance type, and enterprise size, and then compared these results with those of the national general health screening. Furthermore, we determined the distribution of patients with abnormal results for diabetes and hypertension, and outlined the significance and history of domestic health examinations.MethodsWe started by comparing participation rates extracted from the among health examination data of the National Health Insurance Service from 2006–2013 by sex, age, insurance type, and enterprise size of workplace health insurance beneficiaries (i.e., those whose insurance is provided by their workplace). In addition, we analyzed the prevalence rates of abnormal results for hypertension and diabetes, and explored the history and significance of health examinations in the Republic of Korea.ResultsThe overall participation rate in the primary health examination in 2006 was 56%, and this increased to 72% in 2013. However, the rates of the secondary screening did not increase much. Among workplace policyholders (i.e., those whose insurance is provided by their workplace), the participation rates of workers in enterprises with less than 50 employees were lower than were those in enterprises with 50 or more employees. Notably, the rates and odds ratios of patients with abnormal results for diabetes and hypertension were relatively high, particularly among those working in smaller enterprises.ConclusionsAlthough the workers’ general health examination has been replaced with the national general health screening, it remains necessary to ensure uniform health management services among all workers in the Republic of Korea. This can, in turn, promote occupational health and improve working conditions throughout the Republic of Korea.

A Cohort Study of Korean Radiation Workers: Baseline Characteristics of Participants

“…These values may surpass that of the general population and office workers (e.g., general affairs, administration, teachers) in Korea, considering that non-office workers (e.g., radiation workers, health care providers, drivers) receive annual health examination opportunities in the national health examination system, whereas regional policyholders and office workers receive them on a biennial basis [21,22]. In addition, examination participation (i.e., health checkups) rates of non-office workers were higher than those of regional policyholders and office workers [23]. Compared with occupational exposure, the recent annual levels of which steadily decreased around dose limits for the public (i.e., 1 mSv), levels of medical exposure are not negligible, implying that it is necessary to consider medical exposure in estimating radiation-induced health risks.…”

The cumulative incidence and trends of rare diseases in South Korea: a nationwide study of the administrative data from the National Health Insurance Service database from 2011–2015

“…However, these exposures have decreased in Korea due to the shift of the economy from agriculture to the manufacturing and service sector. The increasing trend in the annual cumulative incidence of sarcoidosis might be explained by the increased detection rate of sarcoidosis due to the increased diagnostic techniques and frequent regular health check-ups [30–32]. The overall participation rate in primary health examinations, including the chest X-rays, has increased from 56% in 2006 to 72% in 2013 [32].…”

“…The increasing trend in the annual cumulative incidence of sarcoidosis might be explained by the increased detection rate of sarcoidosis due to the increased diagnostic techniques and frequent regular health check-ups [30–32]. The overall participation rate in primary health examinations, including the chest X-rays, has increased from 56% in 2006 to 72% in 2013 [32]. The number of patients using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which are diagnostic tools for sarcoidosis, have also increased steadily from 4,118,434 and 631,305 in 2012 to 5,139,149 and 805,831 in 2015, respectively [33].…”

Erratum to: The current condition of the workers’ general health examination in South Korea: a retrospective study

“…After publication of the original article [1] the authors found that the following affiliations were incorrect at the time of publication:Jun-Pyo MyongThe current affiliation,’ Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency’ is incorrect.The corrected affiliation should be: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea Jong Heon ParkThe current affiliation,’ Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency’ is incorrect.The corrected affiliation should be: Big Data Steering Department, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, Republic of Korea …”