Healthcare Data Linked with Military Manpower Administration for Youth Health Research

Military Manpower Administration Joins Healthcare Big Data Platform
Integration of "Basic Physical Examination Items" and "Military Service Determination Examination Results" Datasets
Enhanced Analysis of Youth Health and Expanded Research Opportunities

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on September 1 that the Military Manpower Administration will newly participate in the healthcare big data platform, which provides researchers with data by linking and integrating public institution data in the healthcare sector.

With this addition, the healthcare big data platform will now link data from a total of ten institutions. The linked data will be safely utilized after undergoing a pseudonymization process. The Military Manpower Administration will provide two datasets: "Basic Physical Examination Items" and "Military Service Determination Examination Results," which together comprise a total of 55 items, including blood pressure and blood sugar.

Notably, the Military Manpower Administration's data includes samples from the youth population, making it possible to analyze the health status and characteristics of young people in greater depth. By combining data from the nine existing participating public institutions with that of the Military Manpower Administration, it is expected that a wide range of research will become possible, including long-term health monitoring of young people, studies on disease risk factors, as well as initiatives to promote youth health, prevent diseases, and establish effective health policies.

Currently, the healthcare big data platform includes participation from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Health Insurance Service, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, National Cancer Center, Statistics Korea, National Rehabilitation Center, National Institute of Organ, Tissue and Blood Management, National Medical Center, and National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated, "We have continuously expanded and provided healthcare data for researchers by collaborating with participating institutions in the healthcare big data platform," and added, "Going forward, we plan to further advance the healthcare big data platform and support research in various fields, including disease prevention, analysis of treatment effectiveness, and the establishment of health policies through data utilization."

Meanwhile, the Korea Health Information Service and the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency are accepting applications for the third round of 2025 healthcare integrated data utilization through the healthcare big data platform until September 30. Researchers can apply for and use data that best fits their research purposes from among 72 datasets (16,823 items) provided by the ten participating institutions. Detailed data lists can be found on the healthcare big data platform website.