Korean Statistical Information Service Research Articles

Spatially clustered patterns of suicide mortality rates in South Korea: a geographically weighted regression analysis

BackgroundSuicide mortality remains a global health concern, and community characteristics affect regional variations in suicide. This study investigated spatially clustered patterns of suicide mortality rates in South Korea and evaluated the impact of community factors on suicide.MethodsSuicide mortality rates were estimated by sex, age group, and district, using the 2021 Cause of Death Statistics in South Korea from the MicroData Integrated Service. Community-determinant data for 2021 or the nearest year were collected from the Korean Statistical Information Service. The spatial autocorrelation of suicide by sex and age was examined based on Global Moran’s I index. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was used to discern the influence of community determinants on suicide.ResultsSuicide mortality rates were significantly higher among men (40.64 per 100,000) and adults over the age of 65 years (43.18 per 100,000). The male suicide mortality rates exhibited strong spatial dependence, as indicated by a high global Moran’s I with p < 0.001, highlighting the importance of conducting spatial analysis. In the GWR model calibration, a subset of the community’s age structure, single-person household composition, access to mental healthcare centers, and unmet medical needs were selected to explain male suicide mortality. These determinants disproportionately increased the risk of male suicide, varying by region. The GWR coefficients of each variable vary widely across 249 districts: aging index (Q1:0.06–Q3:0.46), single-person households (Q1:0.22–Q3:0.35), psychiatric clinics (Q1:-0.20–Q3:-0.01), and unmet medical needs (Q1:0.09–Q3:0.14).ConclusionsCommunity cultural and structural factors exacerbate regional disparities in suicide among men. The influencing factors exhibit differential effects and significance depending on the community, highlighting the need for efficient resource allocation for suicide. A regionally tailored approach is crucial for the effective control of the community’s mental health management system.

From Disruption to Sustainability: The Event Industry’s Journey through the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant transformations in industries globally, particularly those heavily reliant on human interaction, such as the event industry. However, the effects of COVID-19 on the event industry have not been thoroughly explored in previous studies. This study utilizes secondary data from the Korean Statistical Information Service, covering 16 cities and regions from 2018 to 2022, to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on the event industry and how the pandemic has reshaped the sector’s landscape and sustainability. We employed a Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) model to assess the causal impact and utilized Garthwaite’s (2014) Dynamic Discontinuity model to explore the dynamic effects over time. The results demonstrate that, initially, COVID-19 had a considerable disruptive influence on the event industry, severely affecting face-to-face interactions and operations. However, our findings reveal significant signs of adaptation and recovery in the industry by 2022, with the initial negative impacts no longer evident. This study highlights the event industry’s resilience, the progressive nature of its post-pandemic recovery, and its path toward sustainable practices in a post-pandemic era.

Geographic disparities in brachytherapy accessibility for cervical cancer.

1577 Background: While brachytherapy stands as a crucial component of the treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer, the issue of geographic disparities in brachytherapy accessibility has become a noteworthy public health concern in South Korea. Moreover, the specific factors contributing to these disparities have not been clearly elucidated. In light of this, we conducted a nationwide ecologic study to comprehensively investigate the socioeconomic factors associated with brachytherapy accessibility. Methods: A total of 2,998 patients newly diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2020 were identified through the Korea Central Cancer Registry (KCCR). Across 17 administrative districts in South Korea, 32 brachytherapy facilities were available. To capture unique socioeconomic factors for each region, including the number of Korean Medicaid (K-Medicaid), Medicare (K-Medicare) beneficiaries, marriage immigrants, registered foreigners, and total residents, data were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). Notably, K-Medicaid and K-Medicare represent governmental medical insurance assistance for patients in poverty and those aged over 65, respectively. The brachytherapy accessibility rate (BAR) was defined as the number of brachytherapy procedures divided by new cervical cancer cases. Additionally, each district's socioeconomic factor was normalized by the number of residents. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between BAR and socioeconomic factors. Results: The capital city and its adjoining metropolitan area accounted for 46.9% of the total brachytherapy facilities, with Seoul having 25% (8 out of 32) and Gyeonggi having 21.9% (7 out of 32). Conversely, three non-metropolitan regions had no brachytherapy facilities. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the brachytherapy accessibility rate (BAR) demonstrated an inverse association with both the number of K-Medicare beneficiaries and the total immigrant population (Odds ratios of 0.66 and -2.85, respectively). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the inaugural study highlighting the robust associations between older age and foreign residency status with reduced accessibility to brachytherapy. The observed inaccessibility to brachytherapy has the potential to impede the delivery of standard care, consequently leading to a poorer prognosis for vulnerable populations. Future research endeavors and targeted social interventions will be imperative to rectify geographic disparities in brachytherapy accessibility and ensure equitable healthcare outcomes.

Life expectancy of patients with early gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy: Comparison with the general population using the Korean Statistical Information Service database.

e16077 Background: Although clinical trials have reported the long-term survival of patients with early gastric cancer, data comparing their life expectancy with that of the general population is scarce. Our study estimated these patients’ life expectancy and analyzed the differences in life expectancy between patients with early gastric cancer and the general population. Methods: We enrolled patients who underwent curative gastrectomy and were diagnosed with pathologic stage 1 gastric cancer at Asan Medical Center from the gastric cancer registry. We determined patients’ survival status through the national health insurance system. Their life expectancy was analyzed and compared with that of the general population, utilizing data from the Korean Statistical Information Service database. Results: This cohort comprised 8,637 patients and 64.7% were men. Approximately 17.3% of participants were aged 70 years and older. Approximately 20% of patients underwent total gastrectomy. Life expectancy was favorable among women. Across all age groups, women’s life expectancy generally exceeded 80 years. Male patients showed a reduced life expectancy, typically 4-10 years shorter than their female counterparts. The average life expectancy of male patients aged over 80 years who underwent total gastrectomy was about 5 years, whereas that of their female counterparts was approximately 7 years. Female patients undergoing distal gastrectomy did not demonstrate a statistically significant variance in life expectancy compared to the general population. Conclusions: This study provided comprehensive life expectancy data, organized by age, sex, and type of gastrectomy in a large stage 1 gastric cancer cohort. Elderly patients undergoing total gastrectomy with limited life expectancy may benefit from considering alternative treatment options instead of total gastrectomy.

Analysis of Fishing Vessel Accidents and Suggestions for Safety Policy in South Korea from 2018 to 2022

Commercial fishing, one of the most dangerous sectors globally and, particularly, in South Korea, faces fatal accident rates significantly exceeding other industries, and an urgent improvement in safety measures is necessary to reduce these numbers effectively. The main objective of this study is to analyse fishing vessel accidents in South Korea and present the direction of safety policy for fishing vessels based on the lessons learnt from previous accidents, and, ultimately, to contribute to reduce fishing vessel accidents. For this purpose, we have analysed the marine accident data from the last five years provided by the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal (KMST), the statistical yearbook of oceans and fisheries provided by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), and the statistical survey of marine fisheries provided by the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. After thorough review and analysis of the accident data, we have proposed seven suggestions for the direction of future safety policy for fishing vessels in South Korea: adopt international safety benchmarks, focus on occupational and collision accidents, tailor safety measures to vessel size and age, enhance lookout practices to prevent collisions, implement comprehensive strategies to mitigate human errors, and address communication issues among Korean and international crews.

What is the relationship between the local population change and cancer incidence in patients with dyslipidemia: Evidence of the impact of local extinction in Korea.

Changes in the local population are intricately linked to healthcare infrastructure, which subsequently impacts the healthcare sector. A decreasing local population can result in lagging health infrastructure, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes as patients may be at risk of not receiving optimal care and treatment. While some studies have explored the relationship between chronic diseases and local population decline, evidence regarding cancer is insufficient. In this study, we focused on how deteriorating management of chronic diseases such as dyslipidemia could influence the risk of cancer. We investigated the relationship between changes in the local population and cancer incidence among patients with dyslipidemia. This cohort study was conducted using claims data. Data from adult patients with dyslipidemia from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort conducted between 2002 and 2015 were included. Population changes in each region were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service and were used to link each individual's regional code. Cancer risk was the dependent variable, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the target associations. Data from 336,883 patients with dyslipidemia were analyzed. Individuals who resided in areas with a decreasing population had a higher risk of cancer than those living in areas with an increasing population (decrease: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03-1.10; normal: HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02-1.09). Participants living in regions with a low number of hospitals had a higher risk of cancer than those in regions with a higher number of hospitals (HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.12-1.29). Patients in regions where the population has declined are at a higher risk of cancer, highlighting the importance of managing medical problems caused by regional extinction. This could provide evidence for and useful insights into official policies on population decline and cancer risk.

Hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer incidence in Korean women

ObjectivesAfter the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, the global use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) declined, and despite subsequent studies indicating a low risk of breast cancer, concerns about MHT usage persist. We examined the relationship between changes in MHT use and changes in the incidence of breast cancer from 2002 to 2020 in South Korea. Study designThis study used tumor registry information from 2002 to 2020 from the Korean Statistical Information Service and analyzed the incidence rate of invasive breast cancer in women, who were divided into two age groups: <50 and >50 years. The numbers of MHT prescriptions in Korea between 2002 and 2020 was determined from pharmacy data. ResultsThe incidence of breast cancer per 100,000 women in South Korea increased from 34.3 in 2002 to 96.4 in 2020. Breast cancer incidence rates increased annually in both groups of women (those aged under and over 50 years), with no significant difference between the two (p = 0.614). Prescriptions for estrogen therapy (ET) in 2020 were 52.7 % lower than those in 2002. Prescriptions for estrogen-progesterone therapy (EPT) decreased by 27.9 % over the same period. Conversely, tibolone prescriptions, which had initially decreased by 25.4 % in 2004, subsequently showed a steady increase and were 93.6 % higher in 2020 than in 2002. ConclusionThe incidence of breast cancer increased annually in Korean women of all ages; however, the use of ET and EPT for MHT has declined since 2002, particularly the use of EPT after 2010. MHT, especially EPT, did not significantly increase the incidence of breast cancer in Korean women.

Regional disparities in health literacy for chronic diseases: focusing on healthcare resources and local extinction index.

This study compared disparities between community health characteristics and health literacy levels for hypertension and diabetes by combining community-level characteristics, such as the local extinction index and healthcare resources, with individual-level characteristics based on the Andersen healthcare utilization model. Data obtained from the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Community Health Surveys, Korean Statistical Information Service, and National Health Insurance Service were analyzed. The analyses included spatial analysis, propensity score matching, and cross-analysis. Twenty-five extinction-risk regions (ERRs) were identified in 2017, 26 in 2019, and 29 in 2021, indicating a high risk of extinction and insufficient healthcare resources in non-metropolitan regions. Based on analyses of demographic changes and unmet medical needs at the individual level, we observed increased age and economic activity, decreased healthcare access, and lower education levels in ERRs compared to non-extinction-risk regions (NERRs). No significant differences were found between the regions regarding diagnosis or medication use concerning the health literacy gap for hypertension and diabetes. However, individuals in ERRs were significantly less likely than those in NERRs to be aware of such diseases or educated about their management. Given that healthcare services in ERRs focus on chronic disease management rather than prevention, we propose two directions to reduce health disparities in ERRs. First, the government should encourage cooperation with private healthcare organizations to ensure the provision of health education programs in vulnerable areas. Second, improvements in awareness and education regarding chronic disease management can be achieved through digital healthcare and telemedicine. This study identifies regional disparities in chronic disease prevention and management, providing a basis for policies to ensure healthier communities with health equity.

Twenty-two-year incidence trend of urological cancers in the Republic of Korea: 1999-2020.

Cancer is a disease with high social costs, and policymaking through accurate statistics is very important. This study presents the national cancer statistics on the incidence of urological cancers in the Republic of Korea over 22 years, from 1999 to 2020. Through the Korean Statistical Information Service, data on the incidence of urological cancers by sex and age in each year was obtained. For each urological cancer, the number of cases, crude incidence rate (CIR), and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) were calculated, and the statistical trends were confirmed by joinpoint regression analysis. Urological cancers, which have increased ASR over 22 years, are as follows: prostate cancer (average annual percent change [AAPC]=6.72%, p-trend<0.05), testicular cancer (AAPC=5.26%, p-trend<0.05), ureter cancer (AAPC=4.16%, p-trend<0.05), kidney cancer (AAPC=4.14%, p-trend<0.05), renal pelvis cancer (AAPC=3.86%, p-trend<0.05), and total urological cancer (AAPC=4.37%, p-trend<0.05). Urological cancers, which has decreased ASR over 22 years, are as follows: penile cancer (AAPC=-2.93%, p-trend<0.05) and bladder cancer (AAPC=-0.31%, p-trend<0.05). It was confirmed that the ASR of all urological cancers increased for 22 years, except for bladder and penile cancer. With the aging of the population, the CIR increased for all urological cancers. This study will serve as basic data for future research and policy decisions.

A 13-YEAR TREND OF THE ABUSE OF OLDER PEOPLE IN SOUTH KOREA

Abstract Compared to the growing number of the older population in South Korea, there is a scarcity of literature investigating issues about the abuse of older people, as well as effective prevention programs. To fill this gap, this study aimed to identify annual changes in patterns of the abuse of older people including the number of reported abuse cases; the type of abuse; and the characteristics of the subject. Data were drawn from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), the public national statistical database. The present study used 13-year data during the period of 2008-2020. Descriptive analyses were conducted via SPSS. The number of abuse cases has increased every year from 2,369 in 2008 to 6,259 in 2020 and 10% of the reported cases in 2020 were repeated cases. The most common type of abuse reported was psychological abuse followed by physical abuse and neglect over 13 years. Physical abuse increased substantially from 22.4% to 40.0%. The majority of subjects are consistently women, accounting for 68.4% in 2008 and 75.3% in 2020. One in fourth of the subjects are older people living with dementia in 2020. Considering the serious impact of abuse including depression and suicide, abuse of older people is no longer a single individual or family problem. To protect the older population and improve their rights in society, collaborative efforts are critical. Micro-level movements such as increasing social awareness and national-level initiatives such as implementing policies and developing relevant legislation should be necessary.

Longitudinal Changes in Shoulder Arthroplasty Stratified by Age Groups, Types of Surgical Facilities, and Geographical Regions in Korea from 2010 to 2020.

Shoulder arthroplasty, including hemiarthroplasty, reverse and anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty, improves quality of life by reducing shoulder pain and restoring function in patients not only with irreparable rotator cuff tears and/or cuff tear arthropathy but also with osteoarthritis posttraumatic arthritis, proximal humeral fractures, etc. Given the rapid developments in artificial joints and improvements in postoperative outcomes, the number of shoulder arthroplasty surgeries is increasing worldwide. Therefore, we investigated changes in trends over time in Korea. We analyzed the longitudinal changes in the incidence of shoulder arthroplasty including anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, and shoulder revision arthroplasty by changes in the Korean age profile, surgical facilities, and geographical regions using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database from 2010-2020. Data were also collected from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). From 2010-2020, the total shoulder arthroplasty rate per 1,000,000 person-years increased from 10.571 to 101.372 (time trend = 1.252; 95% CI 1.233-1.271, p < 0.001). The shoulder hemiarthroplasty rate per 1,000,000 person-years decreased from 6.414 to 3.685 (time trend = 0.933; 95% CI 0.907-0.960, p < 0.001). The shoulder revision arthroplasty rate per 1,000,000 person-years increased from 0.792 to 2.315; the increase was significant (time trend = 1.133; 95% CI 1.101-1.166, p < 0.001). Overall, total shoulder arthroplasty and shoulder revision arthroplasty are increasing and shoulder hemiarthroplasty is decreasing. For both total shoulder arthroplasty and shoulder revision arthroplasty, steep increases are evident in the numbers of patients in their 70s and older than 80 years. The shoulder hemiarthroplasty trend is decreasing regardless of differences in age groups, surgical facilities, and geographical regions. Shoulder revision arthroplasty is preferentially performed in Seoul.

Spatiotemporal association between air pollution and stroke mortality in South Korea

BackgroundAir pollutant concentrations in South Korea vary greatly by region and time. To assess temporal and spatial associations of stroke subtypes with long-term air pollution effects on stroke mortality, we studied ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). MethodsThis was an observational study conducted in South Korea from 2001–2018. Concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter ≤10 µm in diameter (PM10) were determined from 332 stations. Average air pollutant concentrations in each district were determined by distance-weighted linear interpolation. The nationwide stroke mortality rates in 249 districts were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service. Time intervals were divided into three consecutive 6-year periods: 2001–2006, 2007–2012, and 2013–2018. ResultsThe concentrations of air pollutants gradually decreased from 2001–2018, along with decreases in IS and ICH mortality rates. However, mortality rates associated with SAH remained constant. From 2001–2006, NO2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:1.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.19), SO2 (aOR: 1.10, 1.07–1.13), and PM10 (aOR: 1.12, 1.06–1.18) concentrations were associated with IS mortality, and SO2 (aOR: 1.07, 1.02–1.13) and PM10 (aOR:1.11,1.06–1.22) concentrations were associated with SAH-associated mortality. Air pollution was no longer associated with stroke mortality from 2007 onward, as the air pollution concentration continued to decline. Throughout the entire 18-year period, ICH-associated mortality was not associated with air pollution. ConclusionsConsidering temporal and spatial trends, high concentrations of air pollutants were most likely to be associated with IS mortality. Our results strengthen the existing evidence of the deleterious effects of air pollution on IS mortality.

A Study on the Current State of Pediatric Dentists and the Adequacy of Supply and Demand Based on Covered Services

The aim of this study was to identify the current state of pediatric dentists, evaluate the adequacy of pediatric dentist supply and demand, and find out the perception of all pediatric dentists on the current state of pediatric dentists and policy establishment. An Online survey was conducted among pediatric dentists. The questionnaire was subdivided into ‘general characteristics’, ‘number of dental treatments and working days per year’, ‘proportion of covered services’, ‘perceptions of supply and demand of pediatric dentists’. Through the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), and the Korean Statistical Information Service, the current state of pediatric dentists, the number of claims for covered services, and the decrease in births per year were investigated. Dental clinics claiming to be pediatric dentistry reached half of all medical institutions, but only 3.78% of pediatric dentists actually worked. 61.36% of all pediatric dentists were concentrated in the metropolitan area, showing a national imbalance. Although the population of children and adolescents have continuously decreased over the past 20 years, the number of NHIS-covered services has shown a continuous increase. Over the past 10 years, the optimal supply of pediatric dentists has been maintained at around 4,000. According to the analysis, 92.15% of pediatric dentists thought that it was necessary to prepare policies and support measures at the government level. This study is expected to be used as basic data for establishing a demand estimation method for pediatric dentistry specialists in the future.

Age at Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Who Underwent Kidney Transplantation: An Analysis of Data from the Korean National Health Insurance and Statistical Information Service, 2006 to 2018.

Although the clinical outcomes of diabetes have improved, diabetes remains the principal cause of end-stage renal disease. The aim of the study is to investigate whether mortality trends in individuals with type 2 diabetes and kidney transplantation (KT) have changed. This study analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service claims database linked to death records from the National Statistical Information Service in Korea. Information from a total of 2521 deaths of KT recipients was collected from 2006 to 2018. The age at death of KT recipients increased from 57.4 years in 2006 to 65.2 years in 2018, with a mean change of +0.65 years/year (p < 0.001). The overall age at death increased by 0.55 and 0.66 years/year in the type 2 diabetes and non-diabetes populations, respectively. The age at death was significantly higher in the type 2 diabetes group, and was maintained during the study period. The proportion of death due to malignancy and cerebrovascular and heart disease was maintained, that due to type 2 diabetes decreased and that due to pneumonia increased. Neither diabetes nor hypertension determined the age at death, and the age at KT was the most prominent factor affecting age at death in KT recipients. The age at death in KT recipients increased over the 12 years between 2006 and 2018, with similar trends in the type 2 diabetes and non-diabetes groups. The age at KT was higher in patients with type 2 diabetes, and was the main contributor to the age at death in KT recipients.

Secular Trends of Birth Weight in Twins and Singletons in South Korea from 2000 to 2020.

Whether the decline of birth weight (BW) reported in developed countries in the early 2000s is ongoing remains unknown. Furthermore, despite recent sharp increases in twin births, comparing secular trends of BW between singletons and twins is difficult, as studies have rarely examined secular trends of BW in twins and singletons simultaneously. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the most recent 20-year trends (2000-2020) of BW in twins and singletons in South Korea. Annual natality files from 2000 to 2020 obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service were analyzed. A yearly decrease of BW was 3 g among singletons and 5 to 6 g in twins from 2000 to 2020, indicating a widening gap of BW between twins and singletons with increasing years. Gestational age (GA) also decreased in twins and singletons with yearly decreases of 0.28 days in singletons and 0.41 days in twins. Whereas BW decreased in term (GA ≥ 37 weeks), and very preterm groups (28 weeks ≤ GA < 32 weeks) from 2000 to 2020 in twins and singletons, it increased in moderate to late preterm (32 weeks ≤ GA < 37 weeks) groups, indicating a non-linear relationship between BW and GA. The prevalence of macrosomia (BW > 4000 g) in singletons decreased from 2000 to 2020, whereas low birth weight (LBW; BW < 2500 g) increased in twins and singletons. LBW is associated with adverse health outcomes. Effective public health strategies aiming at reduction in the incidence of LBW in the population should be developed.

Epidemiology of Urologic Cancer in Korea: Nationwide Trends in the Last 2 Decades

Purpose: This study assessed recent trends in the incidence of urologic cancer and patient survival in Korea.Materials and Methods: The incidence of urologic cancer in Korea was calculated based on the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database and the South Korean Statistical Information Service Database. Data from 2000 to 2020 were used to determine the incidence, death, prevalence, and survival rates of urologic cancer.Results: Urologic cancer was diagnosed in 27,514 cases, accounting for 11.1% of the total cancer incidence. In 2020, there were 16,815 prostate cancer cases, 5,946 kidney cancer cases, and 4,753 bladder cancer cases. The age-standardized rate (ASR) for the incidence of prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer increased from 2000 to 2020. The overall ASR was 56 per 100,000 in 2020. In 2000, the ASRs for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer were 2.9, 3.1, and 4.8 per 100,000, respectively, whereas they were 32.7, 11.6, and 9.3 per 100,000, respectively, in 2020. Urologic cancer has also seen a steady increase in the death rate, prevalence rate, and relative survival rate over the past 20 years. The 5-year relative survival rates for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer during the 5-year period from 2015 to 2019 were 94.4%, 84.7%, and 76.5%, respectively. Among urologic cancers, prostate cancer had the highest survival rate, and bladder cancer had the lowest.Conclusions: The survival rate for urologic cancer is increasing; however, the incidence and prevalence rates continue to rise.

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Suicide in Korea From 2009 to 2019 Using Geographic Information Systems.

When analyzing factors related to suicide, it is necessary to consider the regional characteristics of the areas where individuals live in addition to individual factors. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal association between suicide rates and geographic features and the patterns of this association for all administrative areas in South Korea from 2009 to 2019. The data used in this study were obtained from the National Statistical Office of the Korean Statistical Information Service. For suicide rates, age-standardized mortality index data per 100 000 people were used. All administrative districts from 2009 to 2019 were divided into 229 regions. Emerging hotspot analysis was used for a 3-dimensional analysis to simultaneously evaluate temporal and spatial clusters. In the 229 regions, there were 27 (11.8%) hotspots and 60 (26.2%) cold spots. Hotspot pattern analysis found 2 (0.9%) new spots, 1 (0.4%) persistent spot, 23 (10.0%) sporadic spots, and 1 (0.4%) oscillating spot. This study found geographic differences in the spatiotemporal patterns of suicide rates in South Korea. The utilization of national resources for suicide prevention should be selectively and intensively prioritized in 3 areas that exhibit unique spatiotemporal patterns.

성별·연령대별 특성에 따른 위험자산 선택요인 분석

This study investigates the determinants of investing in risky assets by IRP(individual retirement pension) holders. The KOSIS(Korean Statistical Information Service) recently started to provide individual-level annual microdata on retirement pension holders from 2015 to 2020 through Microdata Integrated Service(MDIS). The microdata includes all nationwide retirement pension holders with their demographic information such as gender and age. Using the microdata, this study examines the IRP tenure, gender, and age factors which could be related to the investors’ behavior of choosing risky products such as stocks and bonds relative to risk-free assets(i.e., time deposits). In particular, the number of IRP holders has dramatically increased because of the changes in regulation that allows special occupation pension holders and self-employed persons to join the IRP since 2017. The total number of IRP holders was 745,801 in 2015 and became 2,444,765 in 2020; the number of IRP holders who have a balance of risky assets in their accounts has also increased 4.73 times more in 2020 than in 2015. We compare odds ratios and marginal effects by employing the annual cross-sectional logistic regressions and find that the probability of investing in risky assets is 4.72%(2.58%) higher for male IRP holders than for female IRP holders in 2015(2020). Newly joining IRP holders since 2017 are more likely to keep their accounts than prior IRP holders; 20s and 30s IRP holders in 2019 and 2020 are more interested in choosing risky products than before.

Projection of Cancer Incidence and Mortality From 2020 to 2035 in the Korean Population Aged 20 Years and Older.

This study aimed to identify the current patterns of cancer incidence and estimate the projected cancer incidence and mortality between 2020 and 2035 in Korea. Data on cancer incidence cases were extracted from the Korean Statistical Information Service from 2000 to 2017, and data on cancer-related deaths were extracted from the National Cancer Center from 2000 to 2018. Cancer cases and deaths were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition. For the current patterns of cancer incidence, age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized mortality rates were investigated using the 2000 mid-year estimated population aged over 20 years and older. A joinpoint regression model was used to determine the 2020 to 2035 trends in cancer. Overall, cancer cases were predicted to increase from 265 299 in 2020 to 474 085 in 2035 (growth rate: 1.8%). The greatest increase in the ASIR was projected for prostate cancer among male (7.84 vs. 189.53 per 100 000 people) and breast cancer among female (34.17 vs. 238.45 per 100 000 people) from 2000 to 2035. Overall cancer deaths were projected to increase from 81 717 in 2020 to 95 845 in 2035 (average annual growth rate: 1.2%). Although most cancer mortality rates were projected to decrease, those of breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer among female were projected to increase until 2035. These up-to-date projections of cancer incidence and mortality in the Korean population may be a significant resource for implementing cancer-related regulations or developing cancer treatments.

다국적기업 자회사의 한국시장 기부활동

Purpose - The main purpose of this study is to test two competing hypotheses on the relationship between foreignness and corporate philanthropy drawing on the resource dependence theory. Design/methodology/approach - This study used Korean Enterprsie Survey data constructed by Korean Statistical Information Service. This study employed both OLS and Tobit models to test the hypotheses. Findings - A conventional wisdom can argue that MNC subsidiaries are more willing to give charitable donations than local firms do because they may perceive philanthropy in the host country is a good opportunity to reduce liabilities of foreignness (H1-1). On the other hand, one can argue that MNC subsidiaries are less willing to give charitable donations than local firms do because they have operational flexibility when they are coerced to engage in corporate philanthropy by host country government stakeholders (H1-2). Empirical results support the prediction that MNC subsidiaries are less likely to give charitable donations than local firms do in Korea. Research implications or Originality - Our findings can provide useful insights to researchers and managers in the sense that MNC managers can increase or decrease their charitable donations depending on the institutional contingencies in different host countries. These institutional contingencies are particularly important within a transforming context such as Korea.