Chiyoung Lee, PhD'20, published "A 10-year trend in income disparity of cardiovascular health among older adults in South Korea" in SSM - Population Health with Qing Yang and Eleanor McConnell, associate professors and Lee's committee members, Eun-Ok Im, former associate dean for Research Development and Regulatory Affairs, Hyeoneui Kim, former DUSON associate professor, and Sin-Ho Jung with Duke Biostatistics & Bioinformatics. 

Abstract

Objectives

Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has lessened in Korea, it is unclear whether older adults in all socioeconomic strata have benefited equally. This study explored trends in income disparities in CVD risk among older adults in Korea.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2008–2017), targeting 14,836 older adults (≥65 years). Socioeconomic position, defined as income and use of welfare benefits, was the primary indicator. The outcome was binary for predicted CVD risk (<90th vs. ≥ 90th). The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII) were used to assess trends in disparities.

Results

The percentage of older adults with a predicted CVD risk of 90% or more declined over time, but this was due to a decrease among the more affluent. Disparities have persisted since 2012, with a worsening trend seen for Medicaid recipients. We found significant absolute and relative disparities among men over 75 years of age in recent years (SII > 0.19, RII > 7).

Conclusions

These results may inform and improve policies regarding income disparity reduction and cardiovascular health.

Citation

Chiyoung Lee, Qing Yang, Eun-Ok Im, Eleanor Schildwachter McConnell, Sin-Ho Jung, Hyeoneui Kim, A 10-year trend in income disparity of cardiovascular health among older adults in South Korea, SSM - Population Health, Volume 12, 2020, 100682, ISSN 2352-8273, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100682. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827320303190)