Trajectories of Health Screening Uptake: Focusing on Perceived Barriers Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea

Health screening rates remain low even in countries like Korea with universal health coverage. This study examined how perceived barriers among nonusers in 2006 were associated with screening uptake in subsequent years (2008-2020) among 4,846 Koreans (45+), using Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging data. At baseline, 47.2% hadn’t received recommended screenings. The most common perceived barriers were unnecessary (42.3%) and lack of time (21.7%). While the overall likelihood of health screening uptake increased over time, longitudinal trajectories differed by perceived barriers identified at baseline. Significant interactions between time and perceived barriers also underscored the need for tailored health promotion efforts.