OBJECTIVE: To investigate inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality across income groups in South Korea. STUDY DESIGN: After reviewing 2001 data from the Korean National Cancer Registry, and National Health Insurance and National Medical Aid data, 49,277 cancer cases were classified into six income groups. The incidence and 3-year mortality rates of major cancers were calculated separately and as a total. METHODS: Two composite indices (slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality) were calculated to analyse the relative differences in cancer incidence. The 3-year mortality rate ratios for major cancers were calculated, with Class 1 as the reference, using a Cox regression model to adjust for age. RESULTS: The relative risk of cancer incidence (total) in the lowest income group was 1.65 and 1.43 times higher than that in the highest income group for males and females, respectively. For cancer mortality, all other income groups showed significantly higher 3-year mortality rate ratios than the highest income group for males and females. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified inequalities in cancer incidence and 3-year mortality across income groups in South Korea, most of which were unfavourable to lower income groups. It is suggested that lower income groups should receive financial assistance for cancer screening and inpatient medical services.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality across income groups in South Korea. STUDY DESIGN: After reviewing 2001 data from the Korean National Cancer Registry, and National Health Insurance and National Medical Aid data, 49,277 cancer cases were classified into six income groups. The incidence and 3-year mortality rates of major cancers were calculated separately and as a total. METHODS: Two composite indices (slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality) were calculated to analyse the relative differences in cancer incidence. The 3-year mortality rate ratios for major cancers were calculated, with Class 1 as the reference, using a Cox regression model to adjust for age. RESULTS: The relative risk of cancer incidence (total) in the lowest income group was 1.65 and 1.43 times higher than that in the highest income group for males and females, respectively. For cancer mortality, all other income groups showed significantly higher 3-year mortality rate ratios than the highest income group for males and females. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified inequalities in cancer incidence and 3-year mortality across income groups in South Korea, most of which were unfavourable to lower income groups. It is suggested that lower income groups should receive financial assistance for cancer screening and inpatient medical services.
Authors: Kyung Sook Lee; Dong Kwan Oh; Mi Ah Han; Hoo-Yeon Lee; Jae Kwan Jun; Kui Son Choi; Eun-Cheol Park Journal: Cancer Res Treat Date: 2011-06-30 Impact factor: 4.679
Authors: Mi Ah Han; Kui Son Choi; Hoo-Yeon Lee; Jae Kwan Jun; Kyu Won Jung; Sokbom Kang; Eun-Cheol Park Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-04-16 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Kui Son Choi; Jae Kwan Jun; Eun-Cheol Park; Sohee Park; Kyu Won Jung; Mi Ah Han; Il Ju Choi; Hoo-Yeon Lee Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-11-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Su Ra Seo; Su Young Kim; Sang-Yi Lee; Tae-Ho Yoon; Hyung-Geun Park; Seung Eun Lee; Chul-Woung Kim Journal: J Prev Med Public Health Date: 2014-03-31