Abstract

Background: According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the unemployment rate of the middle-aged and elderly population is increasing worldwide. Moreover, 15.7% of middle-aged and elderly people in Korea are unable to engage in economic activities despite their desire for economic activities. Under these circumstances, various studies have been conducted to determine the relationship between unemployment and unhealthy status.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the association between restrictions on economic activities due to health conditions and all-cause mortality rates in those aged 45 and older in Korea and to lower the mortality rates of these groups.

Results: The study found that the mortality rate of those who responded "very probable" to experience of economic activity restrictions due to health conditions was 2.376 times (hazard ratio [HR] 2.376, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.933–2.920, p-value < .0001) higher than those who responded "not at all". Moreover, in a group with current non-economic activity, the mortality rate of those who responded "very probable" to experience of economic activity restrictions due to health conditions was 2.345 times (HR: 2.345, 95% CI: 1.856–2.963, p-value < .0001) higher than those who responded "not at all."

Conclusion: This study found that the death rate of groups with economic activity restrictions due to health conditions was higher than that of other groups, particularly those with current non-economic activities due to restrictions on economic activities. Thus, if a policy related to social participation, such as economic activities, is provided to a group of individuals with non-economic activities, the mortality rate for these groups is expected to be lower.