Factors Affecting Unmet Healthcare Needs among Disaster Victims: Using Andersen’s Healthcare Utilization Model

Abstract

This study examines the factors affecting unmet healthcare needs among disaster victims, using Andersen’s healthcare utilization model (predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors). By doing so, the study intends to propose strategies for alleviating and preventing unmet healthcare needs among disaster victims. For this purpose, this study used data from the 2nd wave (2017) to the 4th wave (2019) of the disaster victim follow-up data from the National Disaster Management Research Institute and employed a panel logit model with random effects. The results are as follows: First, it was found that the higher the age and household income of the disaster victims, the greater the support from the national healthcare service, and the better the subjective health status, the lower the likelihood of experiencing unmet healthcare needs. On the other hand, it was found that in cases of injuries due to the disaster or physical and mental damages that hindered their social adaptation, the likelihood of experiencing unmet healthcare needs was higher. Based on these findings, the study discussed institutional improvements to address unmet healthcare needs among disaster victims.