Online Program

281253
Health inequality of persons with disabilities: In comparison with persons without disabilities using concentration index analysis


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Hanna Lee, Ph.D., Graduate School of Social Welfare, Health and Mental Health Lab, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South)
In Han Song, PhD, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South)

Background: This study is to understand the distinct characteristics of health inequalities of persons with disabilities by comparing health status between persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities in Korea with the large-size community-based samples.

Methods: We analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data in 2005 (N=25,215). In the samples, persons with disabilities were 3.8% (N=1,021). This dataset is the only health data which contains information about health status of people with disabilities from the general population in the systematically selected community-based data in Korea. We analyzed self-rated health, presence of chronic disease, and EQ-5D by using concentration index analysis and decomposition of concentration index.

Results: The results show that people with disabilities marked lower levels of health status in all areas compared to people without disabilities; the concentration index on health status showed pro-rich inequality; the socially disadvantaged group perceived their health status negatively, and persons without disabilities had worse perception about their health. Also, persons with disabilities experienced inequality of health care utilization.

Conclusions: Healthcare system for persons with disabilities should be established in Korea. Through the system, the medical needs of persons with disabilities should be responded quickly to prevent the conditions of onset of secondary disability and unnecessary hospitalization. We suggest policy recommendations for resolving health inequalities and actualizing health rights of among persons with disabilities.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Administration, management, leadership
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify the distinct characteristics of health inequalities of persons with disabilities by drawing a parallel between persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities. Discuss policy recommendations for resolving health inequalities and actualizing health rights of among disability groups themselves and between persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities by using variables such as health status and health care utilization

Keyword(s): Disability, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed the research plan, analyzed the data, and wrote the abstract under the supervision of my professor, coauthor.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.