Socioeconomic Differentials in Cause-Specific Mortality Among South Korean Adolescents

A total of 330,321 boys & 311,830 girls, aged 10-19, who are health insurance beneficiaries for civil servants & private school teachers of the Korean Health Insurance Cooperation were followed for 9 years (1995-2003). Results showed a clear socioeconomic gradient for all-cause mortality in boys, but a less evident pattern in girls. This gradient originated mainly from mortality from external causes, with mortality of transport accidents being the most important contributor followed by suicide. (41 refs.)