• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2011

Over the years Korean health care system has improved in delivery of quality care to the general population for many areas of the health problems. The system is now being recognized in the world as the most cost effective one. It is covered by the uniform national health insurance policy for which most people in Korea are mandatory policy holders. Genetic counseling service, however, which is well recognized as an integral part of clinical genetics service deals with diagnosis and management of genetic condition as well as genetic information presentation and family support, is yet to be delivered in comprehensive way for the patients and families in need. Two major obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system are identified; One is the lack of recognition for the need for genetic counseling service as necessary service by the national health insurance. Genetic counseling consumes a significant time in delivery and the current very low-fee schedule for physician service makes it very difficult to provide meaningful service. Second is the critical shortage of qualified professionals in the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling who can provide the service of genetic counseling in clinical setting. However, recognition and understanding of the fact that the scope and role of genetic counseling is expanding in post genomic era of personalized medicine for delivery of quality health care, will lead to the efforts to overcome obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system. Only concerted efforts from health care policy makers of government on clinical genetics service and genetic counseling for establishing adequate reimbursement coverage and professional communities for developing educational program and certification process for professional genetic counselors, are necessary for the delivery of much needed clinical genetic counseling service in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.100-116
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• 2019

Urban green spaces, as a means to mitigate social problems and environmental risks, are getting more attention in evaluating urban environment. The inequity of green space distribution is becoming a major issue in urban planning and management. This study investigated the characteristics of green space in 3 districts (Jung-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Seongdong-gu), that are composed of 46 administrative divisions in central Seoul, to analyze the environmental equity of urban green spaces. The correlations between the amount of green space, including the coverage of street trees, and the socioeconomic status of each administrative division were analyzed. To deduce the effects of plant coverage on the urban temperature regime, the relationship between the normalized difference of vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST) was analyzed. The research revealed that the mean NDVI of an administrative division was negatively correlated with the percentage of basic living recipients and disabled people. The LST of a division with low NDVI was higher due to the lack of green coverage. Such environmental inequities were closely related to residential building type, which was strongly affected by the economic status of residents. The LST of an apartment area was $2.0^{\circ}C$ lower than that of single-family houses and multi-housing areas. This is expected as the average NDVI of the apartment area was more than twice as high as the other environments considered in this study. The inequity can be exacerbated without urban planning which is deliberately designed to reduce it.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.115-126
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• 2018

A new urban paradigm that moves from a vehicle-centric to pedestrian-centric culture should be considered to improve the quality of the pedestrian environments for women, children, senior citizens, and disabled persons as well as to promote community unification by providing general movement rights to everyone. This study was implemented to provide decent alternatives to improve street spaces. The street spaces around the Commercial and Residential Area No.1 located in the Administrative-Centered City, Sejong Special Autonomic City, were selected to analyze and define the status of the walkways and the street spaces. Satellite imagery and numerical maps were used to collect geographic data. Practical and actual surveys for the selected sites were performed to analyze the street status and the pedestrian status. Based on the all collected data, analysis results, and literature reviews, the questionnaire was made, and 315 inquiries qualified for analysis. The physical status of all four study sites was the highest level, Grade A, and green open spaces were relatively sufficient. As a result, the factors obtained from the factor analysis have an impact on the satisfaction of the pedestrian streets in the commercial area. The factors are as followed Design > Convenience > Roadside trees and rest areas > Safety > Safety protective facilities > Transportation and information facilities > Continuity > Basic state of road surfaces > Comfortability, and in the residential area: Transportation and information facilities > Basic state of road surfaces > Comfort > Convenience > Continuity > Design > Illumination and crime prevention facilities > Safety > Roadside trees and rest areas.