Income‐related inequalities in the prevalence of depression and suicidal behaviour: a 10‐year trend following economic crisis

The issue of health inequalities has steadily gained attention in SouthKorea, as income inequality widened and social polarization increased followingthe country’s economic crisis in the late 1990s. While official figuresindicate a general trend of worsening mental health, with rapidly rising ratesof suicide and depression in particular, the extent of socio-economic inequalitywith respect to mental health problems has not been well elucidated. Thisstudy aimed to measure income-related inequalities in depression, suicidalideation and suicide attempts in South Korea and to trace their changes overa 10-year period (1998-2007). The concentration index approach was employedto quantify the degree of income-related inequalities, using four waves ofthe Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The studyfound persistent pro-rich inequality in depression, suicidal ideation andsuicide attempts over the past decade (i.e., individuals with higher incomeswere less likely to have these conditions). The inequalities actually doubledover this period. These findings imply a need for expanded social protectionpolicies for the less privileged in the population.