National Health Insurance Service Busan Ulsan Gyeongnam Branch Donates 5 Million Won to Support Solitary Death Prevention Project

Customized Services to Prevent Solitary Deaths Among Middle-Aged Residents in Yeongdo District

The National Health Insurance Service Busan Ulsan Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters (Director: Cho Junhee) held a donation ceremony for the "We Are Here" project, aimed at preventing solitary deaths among middle-aged individuals living alone, at Yeongdo District Office in Busan on the 7th, with the attendance of the Busan Jungbu Branch Manager, the Yeongdo District Mayor, and others.

The National Health Insurance Service Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Headquarters is sponsoring 5 million won for a solitary death prevention project in Yeongdo District. Photo by National Health Insurance Service Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Headquarters

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2024 survey on solitary deaths, 61% of solitary deaths occur among people in their 50s and 60s, highlighting that solitary death among the middle-aged has become a serious social issue.

In particular, Yeongdo District has an average age of 52.6, the highest proportion of middle-aged population in Busan, and ranks high in the proportion of single-person households, making it a region in need of proactive measures to prevent solitary deaths.

Since 2020, the organization has continuously promoted projects in cooperation with Saha District Office, Buk District Office, and others in Busan to check on the safety of elderly people living alone. Since 2022, it has regularly delivered milk to low-income, middle-aged single-person households in Yeongdo District?where the proportion of such households is the highest?to check on their well-being and, upon detecting signs of crisis, has provided additional welfare services in connection with the local community.

Director Cho Junhee stated, "We will strive to address the issue of solitary death, which has become a significant concern in the local community, by maintaining continuous interest and checking on the well-being of socially vulnerable individuals who require care and attention."