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Inequality in mortality according to regional deprivation during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Min Hui Moon, Young Gyu Ko, Min Hyeok Choi
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Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025022. Published online April 29, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025022
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 Abstract
Summary
 PDF Supplementary Material
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Vulnerability to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is significantly greater in regions with lower socioeconomic status (SES). However, detailed analyses of regional socioeconomic disparities have rarely been conducted in Korea. This study aimed to identify and compare mortality inequalities associated with regional SES across different areas of Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS Using cause-of-death statistics from 2020 to 2022, we calculated age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) for total mortality, COVID-19 mortality, and pneumonia mortality. The SES of each region was assessed using the regional deprivation index. Additionally, we calculated the rate difference, rate ratio, slope index of inequality (SII), and relative index of inequality (RII) for each socioeconomic level to examine the extent of mortality inequality and its temporal changes. These analyses were stratified by gender and urban-rural classification.
RESULTS The total mortality rate, as well as COVID-19-specific and pneumonia-specific mortality rates, increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ASMR for COVID-19 was higher in rural areas (ASMR, 27.79), which have lower healthcare accessibility, compared to urban areas (ASMR, 26.63). However, mortality inequality indicators for COVID-19 were more pronounced in urban areas compared to rural areas (SII: urban, 2.72; rural, -0.05, RII: urban, 0.10; rural, 0.00). Notably, significant inequalities were observed among men residing in urban areas.
CONCLUSIONS In disaster situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to implement strategies aimed at reducing overall mortality rates and addressing regional socioeconomic inequalities.
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Summary
Korean summary
COVID-19 팬데믹 기간 동안, 지역의 사회경제적 수준은 한국의 사망률에 중요한 영향을 미쳤다.
총사망률, COVID-19 사망률, 폐렴 사망률에 대한 연령표준화사망률(ASMR)은 의료 접근성이 낮고 박탈 수준이 높은 농촌 지역에서 더 높게 나타났으나, 상대적인 사망 불평등은 특히 남성을 중심으로 도시 지역에서 더 두드러지게 나타났다.
이러한 결과는 공중보건 위기 상황에서 건강 불평등이 지역의 사회경제적 수준과 맥락에 따라 복합적으로 작용함을 보여준다.
정책 입안자들은 지역 간 사회경제적 수준에 따른 절대적 불평등과 상대적 불평등을 모두 고려한 맞춤형 개입 전략을 수립하고, 형평한 의료 접근성을 확보함으로써 향후 팬데믹에서의 사망 위험을 줄이기 위한 노력을 강화해야 한다.
Key Message
During the COVID-19 pandemic, regional socioeconomic disparities significantly influenced mortality in Korea. Mortality rates were higher in deprived rural areas, while relative inequalities were more evident in urban men. Tailored policies addressing both absolute and relative inequalities are essential to ensure equitable healthcare access in future crises.
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