한국여성건강 현황 및 정책과제

Korean Women's Health Conditions and Policy Agenda

The purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyze the health conditions of men and women in Korea and to develop policy measures to enhance health equality for them. Comparison of existing statistical data in Korea and statistical data abroad reveals that there have been a lack of various socio-environmental variables required for the analysis of women's health in Korea. Examples of such variables are conflict of job and family role, domestic violence, and relationship among family members. Capitalizing Third National Health and Nutrition Survey, the result of hierarchical multiple regression analysis still showed a major importance of socio-economic factors for women even after controlling for factors related to health consciousness (drinking, smoking, exercise, stress and obesity). Women's subjective health condition appeared to be much poorer than men's subjective health condition and the prevalence of depression and arthritis was far higher among women. In particular, groups with low socio-economic status are found to be especially vulnerable to subjective health condition, depression, and arthritis. To solve these problems, it is necessary to increase government funding for research on gender and health inequality and to enhance education and public awareness for women's health.