건강정보이해능력과 차년도 미충족 의료 경험의 관계: 연령집단의 조절효과를 중심으로

초록

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between health literacy and unmet healthcare needs in the following year, focusing on the moderating effect of age group. Methods: Data from the 2021-2022 Korea Health Panel were analyzed. The sample included 8,886 individuals: 2,412 younger adults (20-49 years), 2,404 midlife adults (50-64 years), and 4,070 older adults (≥ 65 years). Unmet healthcare needs for medical and dental services in 2022 were the dependent variables, and health literacy (K-HLS-EU-Q16; 2021) was the independent variable. Age group was included as a moderator. Based on Andersen’s behavioral model, predisposing, enabling, and need factors were incorporated as covariates. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using Stata SVY commands to account for sample weights. Results: Age group showed a significant moderating effect. Health literacy was significantly associated with unmet medical and dental care needs only among younger adults. Conclusion: It is necessary to establish differentiated policy goals and tailored intervention strategies that consider the characteristics of each age group when developing policies to improve health literacy.

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