• Health Policy and Management
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.110-143
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to assess the extent of inequality in health outcomes and the distribution of health services according to health need under National Health Insurance System in Korea. For the empirical analysis, data were collected through an interview survey during one month of October, 1994. Interview were conducted with a total of 10, 875 of the employees and the self-employed selected through cluster, systematic sampling. The major findings of this research are as follows: 1. The analysis of the differentials in morbidity rates by socio-economic group showed that health inequality in the pro-higher groups existed in all self-reported morbidity indicators. 2. The findings of the conventional use measures showed that the lower socio-economic groups had more ambulatory and inpatient services than the higher groups. In contrast to the level of the medical care utilization, however, the higher socio-economic groups were more likely to use the high-quality source of care in terms of their treatment place compared to the lower groups. 3. By using the need-based use measures, the results were different from each use-disability ration indicator. Using the use-disability ration measured by physician visits per 100 restricted-activity days in the population, it was found that there was no evidence favoring the higher socio-economic groups. In contrast, the use-disability ration based on physician visits per a chronic patient in one year displayed that there was remarkable relative difference by income group as well as the evidence of the pro-higher income groups. 4. The results of logistic regression analysis and two-stage estimation method indicated that although the utilization is significantly affected by type and duration of insurance coverage, the use or nonuse of service and the volume of physician care consumed is determined by health need and demographic characteristics rater than economic status. In sum, these findings suggest that physician service is equitably distributed according to health need under national health insurance system in Korea. As there were some evidences of inequality including the differential in physician visits of chronic patients by income group, however, the government should strengthen the activities to guarantee the equity of health services utilization.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2022

Objectives: This study is a comparative analysis of the satisfaction and recognition characteristics for traditional Korean medicine (TKM) in people with disabilities and the general population of Korea. Methods: Here, 5,000 subjects were categorized into two groups based on a disability rating using the data from the 2017 National Survey for the Usage of Korean Medicine. The relationships among the sociodemographic characteristics, TKM usage status, recognition of TKM usage, and recognition of the effectiveness of the TKM treatment were analyzed based on the disease. The response reliability was verified using the chi-square test analysis method. Results: Disabilities corresponded with low rates of high school or higher education (44%, 83.5%) and no jobs (56.9%, 33.5%), mostly the status of the low-income class with a monthly household income of < 1,500 USD (50.9%, 10.5%), poor health conditions (55.2%, 9.8%), high chronic disease prevalence rate (69.0%, 19.9%), high medical care rate (11.2%, 0.5%), and low commercial health insurance subscription rate (44%, 74.2%). Furthermore, people with disabilities visited TKM institutions more often (88.8%, 74.1%) with a high frequency TKM usage rate of ≥ 1-2 times a month (26.2%, 15.3%). They also reported that the cost of using the TKM was very high (14.7%, 8.8%) and that primarily the application of insurance benefits should be improved (52.6%, 47.5%). The treatment effectiveness for diseases was high for musculoskeletal disorders for both people with disabilities and the general population. Conclusion: Preferential application of insurance benefits for musculoskeletal diseases must be extended to the TKM treatment as well, as people with disabilities have a high recognition for these conditions with TKM. It is difficult to perform randomized controlled trials on people with disability. Therefore, large-scale observational and cohort studies should be conducted. We hope this study will help establish a suitable TKM policy for people with disabilities.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.157-170
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• 2014

Objectives: Agent Orange TCDD has been related to serious diseases among Korean veterans who were exposed to it. Decades after the end of the war, however, its effects are still being debated. The object of this study was to examine various unmet needs raised among Agent Orange exposed veterans and their families and to find grounds of a new welfare policy for providing alternative legislation. Methods: Literatures concerning Agent Orange, TCDD, the associated diseases, compensation for veterans and Supreme Court sentencing were searched using PubMed, ProQuest, press news and relevant homepages. Results: Agent Orange exposed veterans are eligible for various benefits from the government, including disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has classified certain diseases into two categories, Agent Orange sequela diseases and sequela suspect diseases and has provided differential benefits based on separated laws. Big differences exist in benefits to veterans and their families between the two laws. The absence of definite standards to classify the Agent Orange associated diseases was confirmed by recent Supreme Court sentencing which ruled in favor of US manufacturers. Conclusion: It appears that the evidence for cause and effect of Agent Orange related diseases would never be perfect. The results suggest a need to change welfare principles from presumptive or indefinite disease basis to exposure experiences combined with integrated disability evaluation. We propose to extend eligibility by enacting a new law for Agent Orange exposed Korean veterans.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.89-104
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to find the determinants for non-participation in health screenings among the disabled. Methods : We used 2014-15 Korea Health Panel data and analyzed 1,073 people with disabilities older than 19 years to investigate the two-year health screening participation rates. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the factors affecting non-participation in health screenings. Results : Of the 1,073 people with disabilities who were analyzed, 29.8% and 27.1% participated in NHI mass screenings and cancer screenings, respectively. In both screenings, non-participation rates were higher in people aged 19-49 and lower in people aged 50 -69 than those aged 70 or older; higher in people with lower education, higher in people with private health insurance; higher in people with fewer chronic diseases; and higher in people with severe disability ratings. Conclusions : People with disabilities should be provided with more appropriate preventive care services according to their disability types and severity compared to people without disabilities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.155-164
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• 2013

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the most important causes of premature mortality and disability-adjusted life years in Korea. NCDs are also the main contributor to socioeconomic inequalities in mortality and life expectancy. Reduction of NCDs and NCD inequalities would result in significant improvement in healthy life expectancy and health equity in Korea. Major NCD risk factors such as dietary risks (including salt intake), alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure were found to be the leading modifiable risk factors of disability-adjusted life years in Korea, based on the 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study. Several Korean studies have shown that these risk factors play an important role in creating socioeconomic inequalities in NCD mortality and total mortality. Current international discussions on NCD policies in the United Nations and the World Health Organization would provide better opportunities for developing aggressive population-wide policy measures in Korea. Considering the paucity of population-wide policies to control major NCD risk factors in Korea, rigorous population approaches such as taxation and regulation of unhealthy commodities as well as public education and mass campaigns should be further developed in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.200-204
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• 2019

On September 12, 2018, President Jae-In Moon announced the Comprehensive Plan for Lifelong Care for People with Developmental Disabilities, with representatives from the associated government branches (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Employment and Labor) in attendance. The goals of this plan are to provide health, medical, rehabilitative, special education, and social welfare services according to the life-stages of the affected individuals; to reduce parental pressure; to promote social interventions; and to enhance community-level participation in order to create a 'welfare society in harmony.' However, in order for the plan to succeed, additional efforts must be made in the following areas. First, an epidemiological survey is needed to understand the scale, prevalence, and incidence of developmental disabilities and to establish an evidence base to support policy development. Second, accurate definitions of developmental disabilities must be established in order to avoid policy discrimination based on impairment type and age. Third, personal evaluations to assess disabled individuals' unmet needs and customized service designs to deliver those needs are required. Fourth, the plan must fulfill the goals of accessibility and fairness that the government intends to provide. Fifth, the government should consider an integrated financial support system and to propose a detailed plan for monetary distributions. Finally, an integrated system that links health, medical, employment, educational, and welfare services must be constructed.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.46
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• pp.263-289
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• 2001

Many studies have shown that the parents of developmentally disabled children are adversely affected by the experience of raising a child of this type. However, the range of reactions to parenting a handicapped child is quite varied and is presumably affected by a wide variety of variables. This study examined a number of demographic and psychosocial variables to determine which particular combination could best predict the current level of stress and coping behavior of mothers. Among predictor variables, marital satisfaction and dysfunctional attitude are variables that I am particularly interested in which can mediate parental stress. Five variables are found to be related to the stress of mothers, that is, level of disability, level of needed help, marital satisfaction, type of disability, father's education level. Also variables that affect four different types of stress (which are four factors of QRS-F) are analysed and the results presented. Among these variables, some are pre-determined and some are intervenable. We should make an effort to make changes in those intervenable variables such as marital satisfaction, beliefs and attitude about disability, and level of needed help. In future research we need to search and clarify the beliefs and attitude that help mothers adjust to a life with a disabled child. Also governmental support and policy making to reduce the burden of these mothers should be accompanied as well.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.39-64
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to find out implications which can be useful for the development of user empowerment and involvement in Korean disability services. Suggested implications are based on the earlier studies about the concept and areas of user involvement. In the theoretical review, this study compared several terminologies related to user involvement. For the depth explanation, this study described wide range of earlier studies. In addition to these descriptions, this study is exploring to show integrated theoretical framework including diverse areas, major initiatives, participation levels, models of purpose on user involvement. And to grasp ostensive understanding on specific mechanisms on participation practice, this study discussed various issues on basic assumptions, areas of involvement and supportive alternatives. Based on these theoretical examination, this study introduced concrete tasks related to policy, service organization, professional education and research to activate user participation in Korean disability services.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.221-234
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the policy compliance according to the socio-demographic characteristics, stress, satisfaction of relationship, Health Belief Model and characteristics of smoking behaviors and knowledge related smoking of the residents living in the Smoke-free apartment and to investigate the change of the smoking related behavior before and after the implementation of the policy. Methods: The subjects of the survey were 293 residents aged 19 or older who reside in apartments six months after the designation of Smoke-free apartment located in Daejeon. All collected data were analyzed using T-test, ANOVA and Hierarchical multiple regression of SPSS for windows(ver 24.0) program. Results: The policy compliance was higher in women and those who lived for less than two years, and non-smokers were significantly higher. The policy compliance of the whole subjects was related to satisfaction with the surrounding relationship, perceived disability about smoking cessation, frequency of smoking and the amount of smoking. The policy compliance of the whole subjects was related to the satisfaction of the surrounding relationship, the perceived disability about smoking cessation, and the amount of smoking. In addition, after the implementation of the gold research station designation policy, it had a positive impact on smoker's smoking behavior and resulted in reducing the frequency of secondhand smoke among residents. Conclusions: In order to increase the compliance of the non-smoking policy It is necessary to continuously expand the indoor smoking cessation zone policy, develop policies and supplement the health belief model components.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 1980

A few years ago a WHO Expert Committee stated: 'Smoking related diseases are such important causes of disability and premature death in developed countries that the control of cigarette smoking could do more to improve health and prolong life in these countries than any other single action in the whole field of preventive medicine.' (WHO TRS 568/1975) Indeed, so serious have been the consequences of smiting in the developed countries of North America and Europe that they could not be ignored. Let us look at the action taken in some of these countries. We may then be able to draw up some guidelines for the formulation of a national anti-smoking policy-guidelines applicable both to countries which already are experiencing the dreadful consequances of long-established and wide-spread smoking habits, and applicable also to countries where the 'smoking epidemic' is only noly beginning to bring its burden of disability and early death.