Young Adults Skip Health Care: 40% Shocking Stats Revealed
TL/DR –
A recent study by the National Youth Policy Institute found that 41.6% of young adults aged 19 to 34 in South Korea were unable to go to the hospital when sick due to lack of time or finances. Over 47% of the respondents cited lack of time as the main reason for not visiting a doctor, while 33.7% felt it was a waste of money on treatments. The study also revealed that young Korean adults are facing loneliness and depression, with 57.8% reporting feelings of depression and 37.1% having experienced suicidal thoughts.
Young Adults in South Korea Unable to Afford Healthcare
Recent research shows that over 40% of young South Koreans, aged 19-34, have been unable to visit a hospital when sick due to either lack of time or insufficient funds. This study was revealed by the National Youth Policy Institute while investigating young adult poverty and self-reliance.
Reasons for Avoiding Hospital Visits
Almost half of the responses cited time constraints as the leading reason for not visiting a doctor. Following this was the burden of medical expenses, with 33.7% considering it wasteful to spend money on treatments. Notably, 9.3% chose over-the-counter drugs over a doctor’s visit.
Medical Expenses and Mental Health Concerns
Over half of the young adults surveyed had not had a health checkup in the past year. In response to this, 50.6% of participants prioritized expanding free health checkups for those in their 20s and 30s. Additionally, there was a strong call for more government support for young adults’ medical expenses (32.8%) and mental health services (28.9%).
Social Isolation Among Young Adults
Many young Korean adults are also grappling with loneliness, with 15% claiming they have no one to turn to when they’re sick. Over 13% felt emotionally unsupported, while 16.4% reported not having met anyone in person in the past month. The majority (57.8%) reported feeling depressed, with 37.1% having experienced suicidal thoughts.
Call to Action
The report calls for the promotion of health checkups for young adults and measures to support medical expenses for those in need. It stresses the need for more personalized health policies, catering to factors like age group, gender, unemployment status, and region.
—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News