Association Between Usual Source of Care Types and Health Behaviors: Smoking Cessation, Alcohol Abstinence, and Physical Activity

Purpose: This study explores the relationship between types of usual source of care (USC) and health behaviors. Methods: It used the 2019–2021 Korea Health Panel Annual Data (Version 2.2), including 11,498 adults aged 19 and older. The dependent variables were three health behaviors: smoking cessation, alcohol abstinence, and engagement in regular physical activity. Results: Individuals with a usual physician offering either comprehensiveness or coordination (Type 4) were 1.24 times more likely to quit smoking than those with no regular care (Type 1) (p=.047). Those whose physicians provided both functions (Type 5) were 1.25 times more likely to quit smoking (p=.038). For alcohol abstinence, individuals who regularly visited a facility but did not have a usual physician (Type 2), as well as those with a partially functional physician (Type 4), were 1.16 times more likely to abstain than Type 1 (p=.027 and p=.042, respectively). Regarding physical activity, individuals in Types 2 and 4 were more likely to exercise regularly, with odds ratios of 1.24 (p<.001) and 1.23 (p=.001), respectively. Conclusion: This study highlights that having a usual source of care (USC)—especially one that offers core primary care functions such as comprehensiveness or coordination—is positively associated with healthier behaviors, particularly smoking cessation. These effects may be strengthened by recent government-led incentive programs that support behavioral change. These findings suggest that expanding both access to and the quality of USC may be key to improving population health behaviors.