Incidence and Influencing Factors of Avoidable Mortality in Korea From 2013-2022: Analysis of Cause-of-death Statistics

• Published in: Journal of preventive medicine and public health Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 540 - 551
• Main Authors: Yang, Jeong Min, Hwang, Jieun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society for Preventive Medicine 01.11.2024; 대한예방의학회
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; avoidable mortality; Cause of Death - trends; Child; Child, Preschool; determinants of health; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; influencing factor; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality - trends; Original; premature mortality; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Young Adult; 예방의학; Republic of Korea; Determinants of health; Avoidable mortality; Influencing factor; Premature mortality
• ISSN: 1975-8375; 2233-4521; 2233-4521
• DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.24.232

Objectives: This study aimed to identify trends in avoidable mortality (AVM) in 16 provincial and metropolitan regions of Korea and determine the factors influencing AVM.Methods: First, the avoidable mortality rate (AVMR) was calculated using the Statistics Korea cause-of-death and population data by age and region from 2013 to 2022. Second, a health determinants model was built, and we identified the factors influencing AVM using generalized estimating equations analysis.Results: Although the AVMR per 100 000 people displayed a steadily decreasing trend from 2013 to 2020, it began to increase in 2021. Meanwhile, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Gangwon Provinces showed a higher AVMR than the national average. The analysis revealed that each 1-unit increase in the older adult population, smoking, perceived stress, or non-local medical utilization was associated with an increase in the AVMR. Conversely, 1-unit increases in the male-to-female ratio, marriage rate, positive self-rated health, local medical utilization, doctor population, influenza vaccination rate, cancer screening rate, or financial independence were associated with decrease in the AVMR.Conclusions: This study established that the AVMR, which had been continuously decreasing across the 16 regions, shifted to an increasing trend in 2021. We also identified several factors influencing AVM. Further studies are needed to confirm the reasons for this shift in the AVMR and explore the factors that influence AVM across Korea’s 16 provincial and metropolitan regions.