Female farmers, receive special health checkups... 90% of costs supported

Married immigrant women working in rural areas in Korea are as likely to develop muscle and bone diseases as domestic rural women.

Accordingly, the Korean government (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) is implementing the ‘Female Farmers Special Health Checkup’ project to prevent musculoskeletal diseases that occur during agricultural work.

*Who is eligible? : Any female farmer between the ages of 51 and 70 who lives in any of the 50 business regions nationwide and was born in an even-numbered year can participate through the department in charge of the local automobile organization. Although the target age is relatively high, it would be good for multicultural families living in rural areas to also remember this.

This year, we increased the number of special health checkups to 30,000 people and expanded the mobile checkup system by visiting the checkup bus. The government supports 90% of the cost of the examination.

*What tests do you take? : The special health checkup for female farmers is a checkup to prevent diseases that often occur due to agricultural work. Therefore, we conduct a checkup on 10 items in 5 areas, including the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, fracture/injury risk, pulmonary function, and pesticide poisoning. We also provide early diagnosis of agricultural diseases, follow-up management, prevention education, and specialist consultation.

*What is the target area? : The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has selected 50 cities and counties as targets for this year’s special health checkup project for female farmers.

The target regions are ▲Incheon (Ganghwa) ▲Gyeonggi (Yeoncheon, Icheon, Paju, Pyeongtaek) ▲Gangwon (Gangneung, Inje, Hoengseong) ▲Chungbuk (Cheongju, Jincheon, Eumseong, Okcheon, Boeun) ▲Chungnam (Asan, Nonsan, Buyeo, Seocheon, Cheongyang, Hongseong, Taean) ▲Jeonbuk (Iksan, Jinan, Gimje, Gunsan, Buan, Imsil) ▲Jeonnam (Gangjin, Goheung, Gokseong, Gwangyang, Naju, Suncheon, Yeonggwang, Yeongam, Jangseong, Haenam, Hwasun) ▲Gyeongbuk (Gimcheon, Andong, Gumi, Yeongcheon, Sangju, Uiseong, Yecheon), Gyeongnam (Geochang, Namhae, Gimhae, Haman) ▲Jeju (Jeju, Seogwipo), etc.

*Where do I get tested? : Female farmers who have been selected as subjects for special check-ups must receive a check-up at a special health check-up hospital (hospital check-up type) or a check-up bus (mobile check-up type) designated by the Wonjin Occupational Disease Management Foundation. There are 7 cities and counties in which screening buses travel to rural areas. The remaining 43 cities and counties must go to designated hospitals to get tested.

*What you need to know: If you receive a special health checkup for female farmers, you can receive it together with the general health checkup conducted by the National Health Insurance Corporation, rather than separately. Next year, we plan to conduct health checkups for all female farmers aged 51 to 70 across the country. Details and schedules can be found on the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' Women Farmers Plaza website (mafra.go.kr/woman) and the Wonjin Occupational Disease Management Foundation website (farmerhealth.kr).

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