Patterns and Mitigating Factors of Health Inequalities Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study by Health Status Groups
AUTHOR : 박주혜
INFORMATION : page. 17~34 / 2025 Vol.32 No.4
ABSTRACT
This study aims to examine older adults’ experiences of health inequalities and the factors that mitigate them through qualitative thematic analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve older adults aged 61~90. Participants were classified into three health-status groups—healthy aging, chronic illness, and health deterioration—to explore group-specific patterns. Participants reported health inequalities shaped by financial constraints, limited access to information, unequal social resources, restricted accessibility to medical institutions, and non–age-friendly healthcare and living environments. Group-based comparisons revealed that the healthy aging group benefited from strong informal support networks and community health promotion programs, whereas the chronic illness group experienced ongoing challenges in navigating healthcare and welfare services. The health deterioration group faced the most severe barriers related to mobility limitations, information access, and continuity of care. Factors mitigating health inequalities included economic stability, institutional support, access to reliable information, formal and informal support systems, and community-based health promotion initiatives. These findings highlight the need for tailored, group-specific interventions to address health inequalities in later life.