Regional Cardiovascular Specialist: Gyeongbuk’s Aging Villages
Regional Disparities in Cardiovascular Care Highlight Aging Specialist Workforce
Table of Contents
- Regional Disparities in Cardiovascular Care Highlight Aging Specialist Workforce
- Aging Specialists Concentrated in Specific Regions
- Specialist availability Varies Widely
- Cerebrovascular Care Faces Similar Challenges
- Regional Extremes in Specialist Demographics
- Implications of the findings
- Regional Disparities in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Care: An Overview
- What is the national average of cardiovascular specialists per capita?
- Where are cardiovascular specialists most concentrated?
- Where is specialist availability lowest?
- Are there similar challenges in cerebrovascular care?
- What percentage of cerebrovascular specialists are over 60 nationally?
- How does the age of cerebrovascular specialists vary by region?
- What are the key findings in the report?

The aging of specialists treating cardiovascular diseases in provinces like Gangwon is raising concerns, with a significant gap compared to metropolitan areas.
Aging Specialists Concentrated in Specific Regions
A recent report from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, focusing on local healthcare diagnosis and medical resource distribution, analyzed 33 regions categorized by urban, rural-complex, and rural characteristics.
Nationwide, 19.1% of cardiovascular disease specialists are over 60 years old.Though, Gangwon’s urban areas show a striking figure of 100%. This indicates that all cardiovascular specialists in cities like Donghae, Taebaek, and Sokcho within Gangwon province are in this age bracket.Gyeongbuk‘s rural areas follow with 57.2% of cardiovascular specialists being over 60.
Specialist availability Varies Widely
The report also revealed disparities in the number of specialists per capita. The national average is 3.9 cardiovascular specialists per 100,000 people. Seoul and Jeonnam cities both reported 6.1 specialists per 100,000. In contrast, Gyeongnam rural villages have only 0.4, and gangwon cities have 0.5. Nineteen of the 33 regions fall below the national average, with Daegu rural areas reporting no cardiovascular disease specialists at all.
Cerebrovascular Care Faces Similar Challenges
The trend extends to cerebrovascular disease specialists, including neurologists and neurosurgeons.Nationally, 14.8% of cerebrovascular specialists are over 60, with Seoul at 14.1%. Gangwon cities again show a high percentage at 64.2%, followed by Incheon rural villages at 60.0%.
Regional Extremes in Specialist Demographics
The proportion of cerebrovascular specialists over 60 is highest in Gangwon cities at 82.1%. Sejong City has the lowest proportion at 9.2%, compared to the national average of 17.0% and Seoul’s 15.5%.
Implications of the findings
Researchers emphasized the significant gap in both the number and age of specialists between urban and non-urban regions, highlighting potential challenges in access to specialized care for residents in these areas.
Regional Disparities in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Care: An Overview

The information below is based on a recent report from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service that analyzed healthcare resource distribution across 33 regions. It highlights notable disparities in the availability and age of specialists for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
What is the national average of cardiovascular specialists per capita?
The national average is 3.9 cardiovascular specialists per 100,000 people.
Where are cardiovascular specialists most concentrated?
Seoul and Jeonnam cities both reported 6.1 specialists per 100,000 people, indicating a higher concentration in these urban areas.
Where is specialist availability lowest?
Gyeongnam rural villages have only 0.4 cardiovascular specialists per 100,000 people, and Gangwon cities have 0.5. Daegu rural areas reported no cardiovascular disease specialists at all.
Are there similar challenges in cerebrovascular care?
Yes, the trend of disparities extends too cerebrovascular disease specialists, including neurologists and neurosurgeons.
What percentage of cerebrovascular specialists are over 60 nationally?
Nationally, 14.8% of cerebrovascular specialists are over 60 years old.
How does the age of cerebrovascular specialists vary by region?
The report shows significant regional variation. Gangwon cities have the highest percentage of cerebrovascular specialists over 60 (82.1%), while Sejong city has the lowest (9.2%).
What are the key findings in the report?
The report highlighted a significant gap in both the number and age of specialists between urban and non-urban regions, which could affect access to specialized care.
Detailed Breakdown of Specialist Demographics and Availability
The following table summarizes key findings regarding specialist numbers and the age distribution of specialists across different regions, highlighting the observed disparities:
| Region | Cardiovascular Specialists per 100,000 People | % of Cardiovascular Specialists over 60 | % of Cerebrovascular Specialists over 60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Average | 3.9 | 19.1% | 17.0% |
| seoul | 6.1 | – | 14.1% |
| Jeonnam Cities | 6.1 | – | – |
| Gyeongnam Rural Villages | 0.4 | – | – |
| Gangwon Cities | 0.5 | 100% | 82.1% |
| daegu Rural Areas | 0 | – | – |
| Gyeongbuk Rural Areas | – | 57.2% | – |
| Incheon Rural Villages | – | – | 60.0% |
| Sejong City | – | – | 9.2% |
