Trajectories of Preventive Health Care Utilization Among Older Koreans: The Role of Social Relationships

Abstract

Background Receiving timely health screening is associated with important public health benefits among older adults. By focusing on the role of social relationships, the present study was aimed at examining longitudinal trajectories of health screening use among older adults in Korea, whose universal health care system provides free-of-charge health screening. Methods A nationally representative sample of 3,575 individuals aged 65 or older from wave one of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006) was followed for 10 years (up to Wave 6, 2016). Mixed-effect logit models were used to investigate how an older adult’s social relationship characteristics (i.e., household composition, financial support from family, social group participation, and the frequency of contact with friends or relatives) were associated with their trajectories of participation in the national health screening program. Results Despite the low financial burden, only 49.7% of older adults in Korea reported receiving the recommended health screening at the baseline. Although the probability of receiving recommended health screening increased over the 10-year study period, the trajectories were significantly different by an older adult’s social relationship characteristics. All four social relationship characteristics were significantly associated with receiving health screening. However, those with more frequent social contacts and those who participated in social groups showed steeper increases in the probability of receiving health screening (i.e., significant interaction with time). Conclusions This study highlights the importance of social relationships and intervention approaches that accommodate socially isolated older adults to facilitate their timely receipt of recommended preventive care.

Association between the utilization of senior centers and participation in health check-ups

“…Previous studies have emphasized the significant role of social networks in promoting various health-related behaviors and facilitating health check-ups 40,41 . Other research has demonstrated that older adults with close family relationships and active engagement in social activities are more likely to undergo regular health check-ups 42,43 . The greater the social support from family, friends, and others, the stronger the association with participation in health check-ups 44 .…”

Is Engagement in Social Activities with Peers within Senior Centers Associated with Participation in Health Check-ups?

“…(19) Despite low nancial burden in both Korea and Japan, only half of the older adult population adheres to recommended health screenings. (10,20) This behavior is linked to health beliefs and social support, re ecting perceptions about the low health value of older adults and the e cacy of health check-ups. (21)(22)(23) According to previous research, individuals from larger families and those with high social engagement and extensive connections within their local community, are more inclined to participate in health check-ups.…”