Health inequalities among Korean employees

23^rd World Nursing and Healthcare Conference

July 10-12, 2017 Berlin, Germany

Eunsuk Choi, Hyunjeong Park

1Kyungpook National University School of Nursing & Research Institute of Nursing Science, South Korea
Towson University, USA

Keynote: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether social status, including age, gender, and occupational status, is a determinant of occupational health inequalities. The effect of social status on both work environments and health outcomes was analyzed using the sample consisted of 27,598 wage employees aged 15 years and older from the Korean Working Condition Survey in 2011. Work environments included atypical work, physical risks, ergonomic risks, work demands, work autonomy, social supports, and job rewards. Health outcomes comprised general health, health and safety-at-risk because of work, mental health at risk, work-related musculoskeletal disease, and work-related injury. Multivariable logistic-regression models were used to identify the associations between social status and work environments and health outcomes. Results showed that employees in the demographically vulnerable group (female, younger, and older workers) had lower occupational status (precarious employment, manual labor occupation, and small company) compared to their counterparts. Low social status was largely related to adverse work environments. Especially, precarious employment and manual labor occupation were associated with both adverse work environments and poor health outcomes. Thus, precarious workers and manual workers should take precedence in occupational health equity policies and interventions. Also, their cumulative vulnerability based on demographics, occupational status, adverse work environments, or poor health outcomes, can be improved through a multi-level approach such as labor market, organizations, and individual goals.

Biography :

Dr. Eunsuk Choi has completed her Ph.D. from Seoul National University College of Nursing. She is an associate professor at Kyungpook National University College of Nursing. Her research focus has been on occupational health and environmental health. Her expertise has been demonstrated by analyzing big data.