Objectives: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are stressful events that could trigger psychological distress in a large number of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to examine the association between gastric cancer and the risk of new onset of depression among South Korean adults. Methods: Data from 12,664 participants aged over 40 years was derived from the National Health Service National Sample Cohort (2002–2013). The case cohort consists of patients who received a diagnosis of gastric cancer between 2002 and 2009, and the corresponding control group was selected through 1:1 propensity score matching (case: 6332, control: 6332). The new onset of depression was considered as the dependent variable. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was built to analyze the associations between variables in consideration. Results: Individuals with gastric cancer had a higher risk of new onset of depression than those without cancer (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13–1.45.) Female gastric patients had a higher risk of depression compared to male patients (Female; HR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.66–2.16, Male; HR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.10–1.41). Gastric cancer patients in their 60s had the highest risk of new onset of depression compared to other age groups and no cancer group (HR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.40–1.85). Gastric cancer patients who were previously diagnosed with depression prior to their diagnosis of cancer had a higher risk of new onset of depression than gastric cancer patients without antecedent diagnosis of depression (Past Depression (Yes); HR = 5.17, 95% CI = 4.10–6.51, Past Depression (No); HR = 1.35, CI = 1.21–1.51). Conclusions: The study identified a significant relationship between gastric cancer and depression among South Korean adults, suggesting that the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer increases the risk of new onset of depression, especially among female patients between 60 and 69 years old of high income and living in metropolitan regions. Pre-existing health conditions also appeared to be a risk factor. Thus, in consideration of treatment efficacy and patients’ quality of life, the results of the study emphasizes the need for attentive intervention, while distinguishing the most vulnerable groups.

Improving maternal health is one of the 13 targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3; consequently, preventing maternal death, which usually occurs in women’s prime productive years, is an important issue that needs to be addressed immediately. This study examines the association between socioeconomic status and all-cause maternal mortality in South Korea and provides evidence of preventable risk factors for maternal death. For this population-based retrospective cohort study, data on 3,334,663 nulliparous women were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2003 and 2018. The outcome variables were all-cause maternal mortality within six weeks and a year after childbirth. A log-binomial regression model determined the association between maternal mortality and income-level adjusted covariates. Women with lower income levels had higher risk of maternal death within six weeks (risk ratio (RR) = 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.65–3.53) and within one year (RR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.47–2.28), especially those who were aged 35–39 years, lived in rural areas, delivered via cesarean section, and had maternal comorbidities. The study identifies a significant relationship between South Korean primiparas’ socioeconomic status and maternal death within six weeks or one year after childbirth, suggesting interventions to alleviate the risk of maternal death.

Objective: Absenteeism and presenteeism refer to loss in productivity related to sick leave and illness, respectively, which affect physical and mental health. We examined the association between presenteeism/absenteeism and level of well-being among Korean workers. Methods: We analyzed data from 44,019 participants who completed the 2017 Korean Working Conditions Survey. The World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to screen the well-being level. We examined the association between presenteeism/absenteeism and level of well-being using multiple linear regression. Results: WHO-5 scores were lower among workers who experienced presenteeism or absenteeism than those who experienced neither (presenteeism: β = −1.011, P < 0.0001, absenteeism: β = −0.403, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Presenteeism and absenteeism were associated with lower level of well-being. We suggest that their management is important for maintaining the health of Koreans.

Adolescent depression and suicide have become leading public health and socioeconomic problems. Determining the connection between adolescent behavior and depression can inform strategies to reduce the prevalence of depression and suicide. We investigated the association between sexual behavior and depression in South Korean adolescents. Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the 2017–2019 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. Data of 178,664 subjects were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. After adjusting for covariates, the prevalence of depression was found to be higher in subjects with experience of sexual intercourse (adjusted odds ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval = 1.59–1.83 in boys; adjusted odds ratio = 1.47, confidence interval = 1.33–1.61 in girls). On categorizing subjects into two groups based on suicidality, subjects with sexual intercourse experience had higher odds ratios for depression with suicidality (aOR:2.16 in boys, aOR:1.80in girls) than depression without suicidality (aOR:1.49 in boys, aOR:1.25 in girls). We identified the relationship between sexual behavior and the prevalence of depression; adolescents with experience of sexual intercourse were more likely to have depression with suicidality. Further research using prospective designs should serve as the basis for appropriate sex education policies to manage the relationship between sexual behavior and depression.