KIHASA Publishes an Additional 12 Research Monographs in 2023

KIHASA published an additional 12 research monographs in 2023, including "Fertility Changes and Policy Responses since the Global Economic Crisis" and "Predicting Modeling of Crisis Response in the Health and Social Welfare Sectors: Focusing on Mental Health Cases."

• 1.Fertility Changes and Policy Responses since the Global Economic Crisis
  Since the global economic crisis in 2008, fertility rates have fallen in major countries, and the environment for childbearing is not the same as it was in the past. We need to identify the newly emerging determinants of fertility and see how Korean men and women of childbearing age perceive them. It is also necessary to review the trends and changes in the policies implemented by these major countries after the economic crisis and explore a new direction for our country's low fertility policy in response to the recent changes in the envrionment. This study analyzes the changes in fertility rates in these major countries, examines the perceptions of Korean youth of childbearing age about these new determinants. In addition, it reviews the recent policy trends and changes in the major countries, and suggests policy recommendations for the implementation of our country's low fertility policy based on the lessons learned from these countries.
  
  

• 2.Predictive Modeling of Crisis Response in the Health and Social Welfare Sectors: Focusing on Mental Health Cases
  Mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness or psychological disorders It is a comprehensive concept that includes an individual's satisfaction with life, adaptability, social relationships, and the ability to perform social roles. Mental health issues vary in their primary causes depending on sex and age, necessitating in-depth research into the possibilities of early detection focused on specific policy targets. Particularly in the case of high-risk groups for suicide, it is necessary to approach the issue by sex and age group. This study aims to understand the characteristics of different policy targets and develop, by utilizing public data, predictive models for different age groups (children and adolescents, youth, the middle-aged, and the elderly) of each sex. This will assist in laying the foundation for supporting national policy objectives (enhanced preventive health care: early detection and intervention of mental health issues).
  
  

• 3.Research to Expand Telemedicine: Policy Strategies and Tasks
  In determining the scope of telemedicine in Korea, it may provide valuable insights to look at cases in other countries where exceptions are allowed for initial consultations. In our study, we propose that telemedicine should, in principle, apply to second consultations onward. However, exceptions should also be made out where physicians are allowed to conduct first consultations via telemedicine at their discretion. In formulating policies for prescribing and dispensing medications in telemedicine, it should be noted tha there should be closer communication between medical professionals and patients in order to improve patient adherence to medications. It is also important to ensure that there is an advantage over using local pharmacies in terms of cost, time, and distance. When medications are delivered, it is necessary to ensure an additional process for patient identification, to ensure the safety of medications during delivery, and to prevent misuse of medication by patients due to incorrect prescriptions. In the case of long-term prescriptions, an additional process should be added to monitor for side effects, non-adherence or misuse, and patient compliance, which can be done by checking remaining medication.
  
  

• 4.A Study on Dynamics and Scale-up in Social Service Organizations
  This study aims to draw up strategies for scaling up social service providers from a theoretical, empirical, and policy perspective, wich are recognized as crucial for revitalizing the provision of social services, and to identify policy tasks for formulating these strategies. With a focus on the empirical analysis of the feasibility and outcomes of upsizing efforts, the study analyzes how social service providers have changed over time, what factors have influenced their scale-up, and the outcomes of such scale-up in order to provide objective data for the development of scale-up strategies. Based on its findings, the study suggests the need to clarify the targets of these strategies, to exploit the economies of scale in implementing the strategies, for example by expanding the convergence of social services, and to evaluate the outcomes of scale-up efforts from an industrial-labor-welfare policy perspective.
  
  

• 5.Developing and Utilizing a Population Projection Model
  Population projections are of great value in population policy research because they are a critical tool for providing insight into developing strategies based on various future scenarios that go beyond future projections based on current trends. This study aims to develop a population projection model to be used by KIHASA as a major analytical tool in its policy research. It modifies Statistics Korea's population projection model to fit KIHASA's research setting and modularizes the projection process to improve its utility in policy research. It also reviews cases in which population projection models have been employed and the lmitations of these models, and suggests ways to utilize th model developed by this study.
  
  

• 6.Changes in Labor Market and Income Distribution during the COVID-19 Crisis
  This study analyzes the overall changes in the labor market and income distribution following the COVID-19 pandemic. After the employment shock of COVID-19 was concentrated in 2020 and early 2021, the employment rate largely returned to pre-pandemic levels by early 2022. The care gaps and career breaks due to COVID-19 had a negative impact on women's economic activity, and the negative labor market effects of COVID-19 were most pronounced in the face-to-face service industry and in the self-employed sector. With the structural changes in demographics and households controlled for, the trends of increasing market income and improving market income distribution that continued prior to the COVID-19 pandemic ceased in 2020. Also, market income declined on average, and market income distribution worsened. The negative impact of COVID-19 on the income and poverty of women with primary school-age children suggests that social care gaps resulting from COVID-19 may have lowered the labor market status of secondary income earners in the household. The income and poverty impact of COVID-19 on the self-employed suggests that the toll has been particularly severe on small-business owners and slef-employed workers without employees. It is also noteworthy that the economic damage inflicted on those whose income level or labor market status was low, such as those in the second decile of individual employment income or that of household market income and the unemployed, was relatively greater. Despite the market income shock of COVID-19, the level and distribution of disposable income has barely deteriorated since the pandemic, thanks to the emergency disaster relief subsidies paid out in May 2020, the national COVID-19 mutual support payments made in September 2021, and various other cash support for low-income groups, the self-employed, contract workers, and freelancers.
  
  

• 7.An Analysis and Calculation of Local Autonomous Entities' Welfare Budgets: Focusing on Welfare Expenditure per Capita
  This study examines the welfare budgets of a total of 226 cities, counties (Gun's), and metropolitan districts (Gu's) and 2 metropolitan governments--in total and by area, such as basic livelihood security, disability, childcare and children, and elderly. Based on this analysis, it calculates social expenditure per capita (SEPC) and social expenditure per beneficiary (SEPB) (e.g. for basic livelihood recipients, disabled people, infants and children, and the elderly). It also conducts an analysis on the relationship between the calculated social expenditures and the characteristics of the relevant localities.
  
  

• 8.A Study on the Joint Distribution of Income and Assets over the Life Cycle and Policy Responses
  This study aims to analyze the joint distribution of income and assets over the life cycle from young adulthood through middle age to old age, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving income-asset-based welfare systems. The study finds that income is used both to accumulate assets and to spend on daily subsistence over the life cycle. Gaps in economic capability, as represented by income and assets, are found to be influenced by class and intergenerational disparities. There is still room for improvement in aligning a life course perspective with existing policies on asset formation and use. The study suggests policy measures to improve the effectiveness of the income-asset-based welfare systems, from the perspective of the multidimensionality of assets.
  
  

• 9.2023 Population Forum
  Since 2014, KIHASA has organized the Population Forum on various population issues. The Population Forum provides a platform for interdisciplinary discussion on key social issues related to demographic problems and for exploring policy responses. The Forum has become a venue for all stakeholders in society to discuss current population issues and policies. In 2023, the Forum discussed the following topics: 'Work-Life Balance and the Life Cycle of Youth,' 'The Paradigm Shift and Public-Private Partnership in Population Policy,' 'Measures to Reduce the Cost of Childrearing,' 'Creating a Child-Friendly Environment,' and 'International Comparison on Childbirth and Family in the Age of Declining Fertility Rates.' This report contains the presentations and the summary of the discussions from the five forums held in 2013. The Population Forum is intended to be a channel of communication for the public to be informed about and discuss population policies and social responses.
  
  

• 10.Identifying Key Tasks and Exploring Options for Essential Pediatric Medical Initiative in Korea
  Public interest in the essential health care is growing in Korea. Of the essential health care, pediatric care in particular is different from other medical specialties for adults, so it is important to secure relevant expertise and develop its own service delivery system. However, the low birthrate crisis and the shortage of pediatric trainee doctors are posing a significant threat. In response, the government has poposed various policies and options to normalize pediatric care. Academic and medical societies welcome such measures, but also point out their limitations. This study aims to identify what can be done to improve the government's policies for essential health care for children and to explore other alternatives. Korea's pediatric health care system has been severely affected by COVID-19. And low birth rates have led to low tulization of health care services by children. Although there has been a slight recovery in spending on pediatric health care, the pace has been slower for spending at general hospitals, where children with serious illnesses are cared for. Specialized medical services for children have been weakened. And the fragmented provision of medical services without a unified patient referral system is problematic. Although the government has announced is plans for essential pediatric care, this study points out their limitations and proposes alternatives.
  
  

• 11.A Study of Sample Attrition and Supplementary Samples in Panel Surveys: Based on the Korean Panel Survey
  The Korea Health Panel Survey began building its second panel in 2018 and began conducting the annual survey from 2019, starting with a preliminary survey. The 2023 survey was completed in August. The number of households in the panel has decreased over successive survey rounds. Given the ongoing sample attrition, it is necessary to carefully examine the panel's sampling design from multiple angles. This study reviews the survey completion rates of the second Korean Health Panel Survey and analyzes the characteristics of the panel households. It also examines sample attrition among panel households and their members, and the factors that affect such attrition. The study examines the current panel structure and proposes additional sampling methods to enhance the representativeness of the sample.
  
  

• 12.A Study on the Management and Utilization of Health and Welfare Research Data: Focusing on Research Data Management Cases in KIHASA
  This study examines the research data management systems used by research institutes in Korea, including KIHASA, to suggest measures to improve the utilization of research data and its integrated management in the health and welfare fields. Based on is findings, the study suggests measures for improvement in the following areas: research data management, research data management procedures, personnel and organization management, quality control and personal information protection, and data utilization. It also identifies the need to enhance cooperation among research institutions for open access to data, to increase flexibility in data provision methods, and to improve the functionality of research data platforms.