Bloomsbury Health Disparities in Contemporary Korean Society: Issues and Subpopulations (Korean Communities across the World)

Inequality in health reflects the deeper social and economic structures shaping everyday life. This edited volume investigates the complex and uneven landscape of health disparities in contemporary Korean society, demonstrating how rapid economic and social transformations have produced unequal health outcomes across diverse populations. The collection highlights how factors such as employment conditions, social capital, and access to healthcare contribute to differences in self-rated health and patterns of healthcare utilization, including the financial burden of out-of-pocket costs and disparities among medical aid recipients. Organized into two main parts, the book first examines structural determinants of health, focusing on links between employment status, working conditions, and access to care. It then turns to disparities across specific population groups, offering detailed analyses of employee health (including long working hours, night shifts, and workplace hazards), elderly well-being (such as environmental satisfaction and quality of life), and the health of children and adolescents (including obesity and socioeconomic inequalities). The final section expands the scope to immigrant and minority populations, addressing the health risks of marriage migrants and the mental health challenges faced by ethnic minority youth. Across these chapters, the volume makes clear that health inequalities are not isolated issues but are embedded within broader systems of labor, family, and migration. By bringing together empirical research and policy-relevant insights, it underscores the urgency of targeted interventions and more equitable health policies. This collection is essential reading for anyone concerned with social justice and public health in rapidly changing societies.