• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.5-11
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• 2013

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to construct a turnover estimation model by investigating research by Park et al. (2006) on the market area of domestic distribution. The study investigated distribution by using a new tool for the turnover estimation technique. This study developed and discussed the turnover estimation technique of Park et al. (2006), applying it to a large-scale retailer in "D"city that was suitable for on-the-spot distribution. It constructed the new model in accordance with test procedures keeping to this retail business location, to apply its procedures to a specific situation and improve the turn over estimation process. Further, it investigated the analysis and procedures of existing turnover estimation cases to provide problems and alternatives for turnover estimation for a large-scale retailer in "D"city. Finally, it also discussed problems and scope for further research. Research design, data, and methodology - This study was conducted on the basis of "virtue" studies. In other words, it took into account the special quality of the structure of Korea's trade zones. The researcher sought to verify a sale estimate model for use in a distribution industry's location. The main purpose was to enable the sale estimate model (that is, the individual model's presentation) to be practically used in real situations in Korea by supplementing processes and variables. Results - The sale estimate model is constructed, first, by conducting a data survey of the general trading area. Second, staying within the city's census of company operating areas, the city's total consumption expenditure is derived by applying the large-scale store index. Third, the probability of shopping is investigated. Fourth, the scale of sales is estimated using the process of singularity. The correct details need to be verified for the model construction and the new model will need to be a distinct sale estimate model, with this being a special quality for business conditions. This will need to be a subsequent research task. Conclusions - The study investigated, tested, and supplemented the turnover estimation model of Park et al. (2006) in a market area in South Korea. Supplementation of some procedures and variables could provide a turnover estimation model in South Korea that would be an independent model. The turnover estimation model is applied, first, by undertaking an investigation of the market area. Second, a census of the intercity market area is carried out to estimate the total consumption of the specific city. Consumption is estimated by applying indexes of large-scale retailers. Third, an investigation is undertaken on the probability of shopping. Fourth, the scale of turnover is estimated. Further studies should investigate each department as well as direct and indirect variables. The turnover estimation model should be tested to construct new models depending on the type of region and business. In-depth and careful discussion by researchers is also needed. An upgraded turnover estimation model could be developed for Korea's on-the-spot distribution.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2005

Objectives : We analyzed the changes from 1996 to 2002 in distributive equity of the contribution burden in the Korean National Health Insurance. Methods : The study subjects were a total of 8,923 employee households and a total of 7,296 self-employed households over the period from 1996 to 2002. Those were the households meeting the two criteria as completing each annual survey and having no change in the job of head of the household during that period from the raw data of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey annually conducted by the Korean National Statistical Office. The unit of analysis was a household, and this was the standard for assessing the contribution that is now applied on a monthly basis. Deciles Distribution Ratio, Contribution Concentration Curve and Contribution Concentration Index were estimated as the index of inequality. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to compare the annual ability-to-pay elasticity of the contribution to the reference year of 1996 for three groups (all households, the employee households, and the self-employed households). Results : For the index of inequality, the distributive equity of contribution was improved in all three groups. In particular, the employee group experienced a substantial improvement. Using multiple regression analysis, the ability-to-pay elasticity of the contribution in the employee group significantly increased ($\beta$=0.232, p<0.0001) in the year 2002 as compared to the reference year of 1996. The elasticity in the self-employed group also significantly increased ($\beta$=0.186, p<0.05), although its change was smaller than that in the employee group. Conclusions : The employee group had a greater improvement for the distributive equity of the contribution burden than the self-employed group. Within the observation period, there were two important integration reforms: one was the integration of 227 self-employed societies in 1998 and the other was the integration of 139 employee societies in 2000. We expected that the equity of the contribution burden would be improved for the self-employed group since the integration reform of 1998. However, it was not improved for the self-employed group until the year 2000. This result suggests that capturing exactly the beneficiaries' ability-to-pay such as income is the precedent for distributive equity of the contribution burden, although a more sophisticated imposition standard of contribution is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.437-443
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• 2014

The JCVSD (Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database) was organized in 2000 to improve the quality of cardiovascular surgery in Japan. Web-based data harvesting on adult cardiac surgery was started (Japan Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database, JACVSD) in 2001, and on congenital heart surgery (Japan Congenital Cardiovascular Surgery Database, JCCVSD) in 2008. Both databases grew to become national databases by the end of 2013. This was influenced by the success of the Society for Thoracic Surgeons' National Database, which contains comparable input items. In 2011, the Japanese Board of Cardiovascular Surgery announced that the JACVSD and JCCVSD data are to be used for board certification, which improved the quality of the first paperless and web-based board certification review undertaken in 2013. These changes led to a further step. In 2011, the National Clinical Database (NCD) was organized to investigate the feasibility of clinical databases in other medical fields, especially surgery. In the NCD, the board certification system of the Japan Surgical Society, the basic association of surgery was set as the first level in the hierarchy of specialties, and nine associations and six board certification systems were set at the second level as subspecialties. The NCD grew rapidly, and now covers 95% of total surgical procedures. The participating associations will release or have released risk models, and studies that use 'big data' from these databases have been published. The national databases have contributed to evidence-based medicine, to the accountability of medical professionals, and to quality assessment and quality improvement of surgery in Japan.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2008

This cross-sectional study assessed household food insecurity among low-income rural communities and examined its association with demographic and socioeconomic factors as well as coping strategies to minimize food insecurity. Demographic, socioeconomic, expenditure and coping strategy data were collected from 200 women of poor households in a rural community in Malaysia. Households were categorized as either food secure (n=84) or food insecure (n=116) using the Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity instrument. T-test, Chi-square and logistic regression were utilized for comparison of factors between food secure and food insecure households and determination of factors associated with household food insecurity, respectively. More of the food insecure households were living below the poverty line, had a larger household size, more children and school-going children and mothers as housewives. As food insecure households had more school-going children, reducing expenditures on the children's education is an important strategy to reduce household expenditures. Borrowing money to buy foods, receiving foods from family members, relatives and neighbors and reducing the number of meals seemed to cushion the food insecure households from experiencing food insufficiency. Most of the food insecure households adopted the strategy on cooking whatever is available at home for their meals. The logistic regression model indicates that food insecure households were likely to have more children (OR=1.71; p<0.05) and non-working mothers (OR=6.15; p<0.05), did not own any land (OR=3.18; p<0.05) and adopted the strategy of food preparation based on whatever is available at their homes (OR=4.33; p<0.05). However, mothers who reported to borrow money to purchase food (OR=O.84; p<0.05) and households with higher incomes of fathers (OR=O.99; p<0.05) were more likely to be food secure. Understanding the factors that contribute to household food insecurity is imperative so that effective strategies could be developed and implemented.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.183-196
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• 2016

Objectives: There is no systematic review on economic evaluations of telemedicine in Japan, despite over 1000 trials implemented. Our systematic review aims to examine whether Japan's telemedicine is cost-saving or cost-effective, examine the methodological rigorousness of the economic evaluations, and discuss future studies needed to improve telemedicine's financial sustainability. Methods: We searched five databases, including two Japanese databases, to find peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014 in English and Japanese that performed economic evaluations of Japan's telemedicine programs. The methodological rigorousness of the economic analyses was assessed with a well-established checklist. We calculated the benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) when a reviewed study reported related data but did not report the BCR. All cost values were adjusted to 2014 US dollars. Results: Among the 17 articles identified, six studies reported on settings connecting physicians for specialist consultations, and eleven studies on settings connecting healthcare providers and patients at home. There are three cost-benefit analyses and three cost-minimization analyses. The remaining studies measured the benefit of telemedicine only, using medical expenditure saved or users' willingness-to-pay. There was substantial diversity in the methodological rigorousness. Studies on teledermatology and teleradiology indicated a favorable level of economic efficiency. Studies on telehomecare gave mixed results. One cost-benefit analysis on telehomecare indicated a low economic efficiency, partly due to public subsidy rules, e.g., a too short budget period. Conclusions: Overall, telemedicine programs in Japan were indicated to have a favorable level of economic efficiency. However, the scarcity of the economic literature indicates the need for further rigorous economic evaluation studies.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2015

Background: 8,000 children in North Korea died before they reached the 1 year after births in 2013. The high mortality rate of children under five years of age is mainly caused by infectious diseases and malnutrition. The need for national pediatric immunization and supply of vaccines will be vital when the abrupt reunification occurs. Objective: The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the pediatric immunization coverage of North Korea. Additionally it is to estimate the amount and the costs needed to vaccinate. Methods: The target population is the children of North Korea. The method is based on a pre-survey and an interview of North Korea defectors. The target interviewees searched for are as follows; doctors, teachers, and others. The interview includes questions on mortality rates and immunization coverage. The analysis is largely based on the statements of the health care providers within the selected group. Results: The interviewees are 8; 7 female and 1 male. The birth years range from 1956 to 1982. 3 out of 8 are former health care providers; a doctor, a pharmacist, and a nurse. The morbidity rate of infectious diseases exceeds the data from WHO. The immunization coverage is nearly 0% after 1980s. In order to ensure the welfare of North Korean children, at least 8,234,000 vaccine doses, requiring over 105 million U.S. dollars, are needed. Conclusion: The morbidity rate of infectious disease in North Korea is conspicuous. The preparation for supply and expenditure of vaccines is vital.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.4-22
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• 1996

Purposes of this study were to identify a hospital-based home care model and to improve the physical, emotional and economical effectiveness of arthritic patients through medical and nursing team approach. The design in nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design with matched samples in terms of age, sex and disease severity. Fifty two patients in each group were assigned in Seoul, Kyunggi, Kangwon and Kwangju. Before and after 6-month period of home care, level of pain, duration of morning stiffness, Richie Index, ADL, self efficacy, depression, cost expenditure were measured. Nine patients were excluded from the control group in the period of study because of denial of participation. Contents of home care provided to the experimental group include mainly distribution of prescribed drugs, 'assessment of patients' condition and side-reactions of drug. All of the information related to the home care patient were reported to the physician. On the bases of these data, the physician prescribe the specific drugs to each patient. Each patient visited the physician every 2 or 3 month for laboratory test. Patients assigned to the control group visited the outpatient clinic once a month as usual. Null hypotheses were selected because physicians concerned about the ineffective change of patients' conditions due to indirect communication with patients through nurses. Level of pain, Richie index, ADL, self-efficacy, depression, duration of morning stiffness and direct medical cost were the home care provided to them. If a family member accompany in a home care group can save 10,676 Won/month in Seoul, 34,000 Won/month in other districts. Other in-direct cost for transportation and meal can also be saved. In conclusion, those patients with low level of ADL, high level of pain and Richie index, living in the remote area definitely need the home care.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.180-191
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• 2015

Purpose: There is a lack of data on the energy cost of children's everyday activities, adult values are often used as surrogates. In addition, the influence of body weight on the energy cost of activity when expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs) has not been vigorously explored. Methods: In this study 20 elementary school students 9~12 years of age completed 18 various physical activities while energy expenditure was measured continuously using a portable telemetry gas exchange system ($K_4b^2$, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Results: The average age was 10.4 years and the average height and weight was 145.1 cm and 43.6 kg, respectively. Oxygen consumption ($VO_2$), energy expenditure and METs at the time of resting of the subjects were 5.41 mL/kg/min, 1.44 kcal/kg/h, and 1.5 METs, respectively. METs values by 18 physical activities were as follows: Homework and reading books (1.6 METs), playing game with a mobile phone or video while sitting (1.6 METs), watching TV while sitting on a comfortable chair (1.7 METs), playing video game or mobile phone game while standing (1.9 METs), sweeping a room with a broom (2.7 METs) and playing a board game (2.8 METs) belong to light intensity physical activities. By contrary, speedy walking and running were 6.6 and 6.7 METs, respectively, which belong to high intensity physical activities over 6.0 METs. When the effect of body weight on physical activity energy expenditure was determined, $R^2$ values increased with 0.116 (playing a game at sitting), 0.176 (climbing up and down stairs), 0.246 (slow walking), and 0.455 (running), which showed that higher activity intensity increased explanation power of body weight on METs value. Conclusion: This study is important for direct evaluation of energy expenditure by physical activities of children, and it could be used directly for revising and complementing the existing activity classification table to fit for children.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.113-144
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• 2020

Throughout various data sources, it is widely observed that air quality in South Korea has become improved. Koreans, however, insist that their health status and economic burden due to worsened air quality get degenerated. This study aims to explain the mismatch between perception and measured data, air pollution-led medical expenses, and consumption behaviors in the economics perspectives. First, we demonstrated data-driven evidence of mismatch in the perceived severity of air pollution and its enhancement in measured data. Second, using the health demand model, we theoretically derived and empirically showed a co-rising relation between air pollution severity and medical expenses. Last, we analyzed that the perception led to increased defensive expenditures in consumption. This result implies the possibility of overestimation in air pollution impacts on socioeconomic losses and its possible reverse interpretation from increased social benefit after improved air quality. Our results recommend policy consideration to strengthen air quality standards, to support socially vulnerable groups regarding defensive expenditures, and to improve the accessibility and credibility of air pollution information.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.12 no.3 s.32
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• pp.97-106
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• 2006

In this study was investigated the value of rural residence in later life from the personal, regional, and national perspective. For this purpose, a three-round Delphi technique was used to collect data through a series of surveys to obtain the consensus of a group of 38 experts in value of rural residence in later life in the future. In the first round was sent to them unstructured questionnaire and in the second and third round, the summarized results of the first and second round were delivered to rate the importance of each item for confirmation and validation of the results. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The major findings of this study are as follows: First, the personal, regional, and national value of rural residence in later life was selected 7 domains 23 items, 4 domains 22 items, and 3 domains 20 items respectively. Experts consented that the value from the personal perspective will be the highest among 3 perspectives. Second, as the value of rural residence from the personal perspective, it was showed nature-friendly life, physical health emotional serenity, lower expenditure, enjoyable filming, feeding the safe food, and etc,. As the value of it from the regional perspective was showed usage of retirees' speciality and experience to community development and the increase of recreational function in the rural. Also, from the national perspective, it was showed the sustainability of the rural, the establishment of welfare base, balanced development between regions. Based on these results, policy implications were discussed.