Healthy Lifespan in South Korea Declines, Widens Income Gap
South Korea is experiencing a concerning trend: a decline in ‘healthy lifespan’ – the period of life spent in good health, free from disease – and a growing disparity based on income. For the first time in nine years, the nation’s healthy lifespan has fallen below 70 years, reaching 69.89 years in .
This figure represents a decrease from 70.93 years in , and falls short of the government’s target of 73.3 years outlined in the Comprehensive National Health Promotion Plan announced in . The last time the country’s healthy life expectancy was this low was in , when it stood at 69.69 years.
COVID-19’s Impact on Health
Experts attribute a significant portion of this decline to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions on movement and the rise of remote work led to decreased physical activity, contributing to increased rates of obesity and chronic disease.
“Fashionable diseases such as colds and flu do not affect healthy life expectancy. However, COVID-19 caused various disabilities and aftereffects, and even death, so it lowered healthy life expectancy and life expectancy and average life expectancy not only in Korea but around the world,”
Kang Jae-heon, Professor of Family Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital
The pandemic’s effects extend beyond acute illness. Long-term health consequences and disabilities resulting from COVID-19 infection are contributing to a reduction in overall health and, healthy lifespan.
Income Disparity and Health Inequality
The data reveal a stark correlation between income and healthy lifespan. As of , individuals in the top 20% of the income bracket enjoyed a healthy life expectancy of 72.7 years, while those in the bottom 20% experienced a significantly shorter healthy lifespan of only 64.3 years. This gap, which has been widening, reached 8.4 years in , up from 6.7 years in .
This widening gap underscores a growing issue of health inequality within South Korea. Higher income levels are associated with greater access to healthcare resources and preventative care, while lower-income individuals face increased exposure to health risk factors such as chronic diseases, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Differences in access to quality medical care based on economic status further exacerbate this disparity.
Regional Disparities Within Seoul
Even within the capital city of Seoul, significant variations in healthy life expectancy exist between different administrative districts. In , the three Gangnam districts (Seocho, Gangnam, and Songpa) boasted the highest healthy life expectancies at 73.02 years, 72.95 years, and 72.58 years, respectively. In contrast, Geumcheon-gu recorded the lowest healthy life expectancy at 69.17 years – a difference of nearly four years compared to Seocho-gu.
Addressing the Root Causes
Experts emphasize that the decline in healthy life expectancy among economically vulnerable populations is a cumulative effect of lifelong disadvantages. These individuals often face demanding work schedules and challenging living environments that hinder their ability to prioritize and access adequate healthcare.
“The decline in the healthy life expectancy of the economically vulnerable is a result of accumulation over a lifetime. This is because they are unable to take charge of their health care due to working hours and the environment, and thus miss the time to recover, so appropriate health care support is needed.”
Seok Jae-eun, Professor of Social Welfare, Hallym University
The findings highlight the need for targeted health interventions and support systems to address the specific needs of lower-income communities. These interventions should focus on promoting preventative care, improving access to healthcare services, and addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to health disparities.
The decline in healthy lifespan and the widening income gap represent significant public health challenges for South Korea. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that tackles both the immediate impacts of the pandemic and the underlying structural inequalities that contribute to health disparities. Investing in preventative care, expanding access to healthcare, and addressing the social determinants of health are crucial steps towards ensuring a healthier future for all South Koreans.
