Epidemiology and Health

Original Articles

The delayed cancer treatment and economic inequality in Korea: results of common cancers by the time-to-surgery: Noorhee Son, Woo-Ri Lee, Dong-Woo Choi, Kyu-Tae Han; Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025056. Published online September 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025056

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Growing concerns regarding the concentration of cancer treatment in the capital city in Korea have raised questions about equitable access to timely and optimal patient care. In this study, we evaluated the impact of time-to-surgery (TTS) on healthcare utilization and outcomes, with the goal of providing policy recommendations for effective quality assessment of cancer care.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 2011 to 2021 obtained from National Health Insurance Service claims. A generalized estimating equation and a Cox proportional hazards model were applied to assess the effects of TTS on length of stay (LOS), medical costs, and 5-year mortality among patients diagnosed with lung, liver, and colorectal cancers. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on patients’ baseline economic status.
RESULTS
Among patients who underwent surgical treatment for lung, liver, or colorectal cancer, 20.4%, 11.4%, and 11.4% experienced treatment delays, respectively. Regardless of cancer type, longer TTS was associated with prolonged LOS and higher medical costs. Moreover, patients with extended TTS demonstrated an increased risk of 5-year mortality. Disparities by income level were evident, with greater differences observed in the lower-income group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the importance of timely surgical treatment for patients with cancer, particularly in relation to income-based disparities. These findings emphasize the need to improve Korea’s concentrated cancer care delivery system to enhance healthcare efficiency and address health literacy gaps affecting treatment by income level.; Summary

Korean summary
- 수술 환자의 약 10%~20%에서 치료 지연이 발생했다. - 수술까지 대기시간이 길수록 재원일수가 늘고, 의료비용이 증가하며, 5년 사망위험이 높았다. - 소득수준에 따른 격차가 확인되었고, 저소득층에서 불리한 영향이 더 크게 나타났다.

Key Message
- Among surgical patients, approximately 10–20% experienced treatment delays. - Longer time-to-surgery (TTS) was linked to prolonged length of stay (LOS), higher medical costs, and an increased 5-year mortality risk. - Income-level disparities were evident, with more pronounced adverse differences in lower-income groups.

Impact of hypertension-related avoidable hospitalization on all-cause mortality in older patients with hypertension: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Korea: Yehrhee Son, Noorhee Son, Sungyoun Chun, Ki-Bong Yoo, Jung Hyun Chang, Woo-Ri Lee; Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025019. Published online April 18, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025019

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The prevalence of hypertension is increasing as a result of rapid population aging, which elevates the societal burden of the disease. In Korea, the hospitalization rate for hypertension-related admissions exceeds the average reported by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; however, the impact of these hospitalizations has not been evaluated. Therefore, this study investigates the association between hypertension-related avoidable hospitalizations and all-cause mortality.
METHODS
We included patients aged ≥60 years diagnosed with hypertension, identified using data from the National Health Insurance Services Senior Cohort spanning 2008 to 2019. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality measured at 3 years and 5 years after the hypertension diagnosis. The key independent variable was the incidence of hypertension-related avoidable hospitalizations within the first year following the initial hypertension diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was employed to assess these associations. To ensure robust findings and minimize selection bias, several sensitivity analyses were conducted.
RESULTS
Out of 65,686 participants, 397 (0.6%) experienced hypertension-related avoidable hospitalizations within 1 year of their initial hypertension diagnosis. Individuals who experienced such hospitalizations had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who did not (3-year: hazard ratio [HR], 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53 to 2.94; 5-year: HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.68 to 2.68).
CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension-related avoidable hospitalizations among older adults are associated with an increased risk of both short-term and long-term all-cause mortality. These findings underscore the importance of timely hypertension management to prevent such hospitalizations.; Summary

Korean summary
- 고혈압 관련 회피가능한 입원은 한국의 노인 고혈압 환자의 3년 및 5년 사망률과 유의미한 연관성을 보인다. - 사회경제적 및 지역적 건강 격차가 관찰되었으며, 저소득층과 대도시 이외 지역에 거주하는 환자의 사망 위험이 더 높았다. - 약물 복용을 포함한 조기 및 지속적인 고혈압 관리는 회피가능한 입원을 예방하고 장기 생존 결과를 개선하는데에 도움이 될 수 있다.

Key Message
- Hypertension-related avoidable hospitalizations are significantly associated with both 3-year and 5-year all-cause mortality among older patients with hypertension in Korea. - Socioeconomic and regional disparities were observed, with greater mortality risks among patients from low-income groups and non-metropolitan areas. - Early and consistent hypertension management—including medication adherence—may help prevent avoidable hospitalizations and improve long-term survival outcomes.

Cancer incidence among male construction workers in Korea: a standardized incidence ratio analysis, 2009-2015: Soonsu Shin, Woo-Ri Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Wanhyung Lee; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023060. Published online June 19, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023060

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Construction workers face an elevated risk for several types of cancer. Nevertheless, there is a lack of large-scale epidemiological studies examining the risk of all cancers in construction workers. This study aimed to investigate the risk of various cancers in male construction workers using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database.
METHODS
We used data from the NHIS database from 2009 to 2015. Construction workers were identified using the Korean Standard Industrial Classification code. We calculated the age-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer occurrence in male construction workers compared to all male workers.
RESULTS
Compared to all male workers, the SIRs for esophageal cancer (SIR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.42) and malignant neoplasms of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts (SIR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.24) were significantly higher in male construction workers. The SIRs for malignant neoplasms of the urinary tract (SIR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.35) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.43) were significantly elevated in building construction workers. The SIR for malignant neoplasms of the trachea, bronchus, and lung (SIR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.29) was significantly higher in heavy and civil engineering workers.
CONCLUSIONS
Male construction workers have an increased risk for esophageal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s cancer. Our results indicate that tailored strategies for cancer prevention should be developed for construction workers.; Summary

Korean summary
건설 노동자는 작업환경에서 수많은 유해 인자에 노출되지만, 건설 노동자에서 암의 연령 표준화 발생비를 조사한 역학 연구는 부족하다. 이번 연구에서 식도암과 간담도암의 연령 표준화 발생비는 전체 남성 근로자에 비해 남성 건설 근로자에게서 증가하였다. 이러한 결과는 건설 근로자에서 암 위험이 증가했음을 나타내며, 이 직업군에서 암 예방을 위한 추가 연구와 정책이 필요함을 의미한다.

Key Message
Despite the exposure of construction workers to numerous hazardous substances at workplace, epidemiological studies investigating the risk of all cancers in this occupational group are lacking. In this study, the age-standardized incidence ratio of esophageal cancer and hepatobiliary cancers increased in male construction workers compared to all male workers. Our results underscore the increased several cancer risks faced by male construction workers, necessitating the development of tailored strategies for cancer prevention in this occupational group.

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