Who Dies Alone? Demographics, Underlying Diseases, and Healthcare Utilization Patterns of Lonely Death Individuals in Korea.

Abstract

Objectives: Lonely death is defined as "a person living in a state of social isolation, disconnected from family, relatives, and others, who dies from suicide, illness, or other causes." This study investigated the characteristics of individuals who die alone in Korea.

Methods: We constructed a database of lonely death cases by linking data from the Korea Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the Korea National Police Agency with National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) records. A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the demographics, underlying diseases, and healthcare utilization patterns among lonely death cases.

Results: Among the 3,122 individuals identified as lonely death cases, 2,621 (84.0%) were male and 501 (16.0%) were female. The most common age group was 50-59 years (n= 930; 29.8%). The NHIS covered 2,161 individuals (69.2%), whereas 961 individuals (30.8%) were enrolled in Medical Aid (MA). The highest number of lonely deaths occurred in Seoul areas, with 1,468 cases (47.0%). Mental and behavioral disorders were diagnosed in 1,606 individuals (51.4%), and various alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, were also observed. Outpatient visits increased leading up to death but declined in the final 3 months, while hospitalizations decreased and emergency room visits slightly increased.

Conclusions: Most lonely death cases involved men in their 50s, with a disproportionately high number of MA beneficiaries compared to the general population. Many of these individuals also experienced mental health issues or alcohol-related disorders. Preventing social isolation and strengthening social safety nets are critical to reducing the occurrence of lonely deaths.