Health Vulnerabilities among Marriage-Immigrant Women in Korea: Toward an Improved Survey Infrastructure

Abstract

This study aims to examine the health and socioeconomic vulnerabilities of Marriage-Immigrant Women in Korea and to identify the limitations of the current health survey system as a foundation for more evidence-based policy. These women faced a wide range of health-related risks, including physical and mental health problems, language barriers, employment insecurity, and social isolation. However, existing national health surveys fail to adequately capture the unique circumstances of this population. In response, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), commissioned by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, developed a survey protocol and conducted a pilot study in 2025. The questionnaire covered various domains including sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, mental health, access to and use of health services, and health literacy etc. Multilingual questionnaires and culturally sensitive item designs were employed to enhance accessibility and validity. This study provides a understanding of the health status of Marriage-Immigrant Women and serves as a resource for the establishment of regular health surveys and life-course-oriented health policies.