South Korean Youth Overrepresented in Poisoning Cases; Medication Overdoses Rise

South Korea is witnessing a concerning rise in poisonings among its youth, with individuals aged 10 to 20 now accounting for one-third of all poisoning-related emergency room visits. This figure represents a doubling over the past decade, highlighting a significant shift in the nature of poisoning incidents.

The types of substances causing these poisonings have also changed. Medications, once accounting for 44.9% of cases in 2015, now make up 66.7% of poisonings. Conversely, the proportion of poisonings attributed to gases and pesticides has fallen from 20.6% and 16% respectively to 11.5% and 9.4%.

Beyond poisonings, the data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's "2025 Injury Type and Cause Statistics" reveals that falls are the primary cause of injury-related emergency room visits, accounting for 40% of cases. Falls are most prevalent among children under 10, who represent 45.4% of fall victims, though they are less likely to be hospitalized. The elderly, particularly those over 60, are more prone to severe injuries and hospitalizations from falls, with individuals over 80 showing the highest rates of hospitalization and death.

Transportation accidents are the second leading cause of injury, followed by assaults and other external forces. The data underscores a broad spectrum of injury risks across different age groups, with falls being a major concern for both the very young and the elderly, often occurring within the home.