Challenges in Public Health Programs for People Living in Rural and Remote Areas

농촌지역 공공보건기관의 보건사업 기능개편 방안

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to suggest new directions for public health programs in rural and remote areas. Method: For this purpose, a literature review was done including articles, research reports, and master theses and doctoral dissertations. Results: Public health programs in rural remote areas were found to be very insufficient in terms of professional personnel and program diversity. Especially, there is a lack of adequate manpower and infra-structure in the public health sub-centers at the township and sub county level. Although community health practitioners at the village level are providing public health service beyond medical care, their coverage rate is very low. Conclusion: The results suggest a need to strengthen the function of public health sub-centers to provide comprehensive public health service based on the life-cycle approach. For this new change, legal and political support must be developed.