• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.261-270
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• 2013

Objectives: This study investigated the socio-demographic characteristics and medical causes of death among meteorological disaster casualties and compared them with deaths from all causes. Methods: Based on the death data provided by the National Statistical Office from 2000 to 2011, the authors analyzed the gender, age, and region of 709 casualties whose external causes were recorded as natural events (X330-X389). Exact matching was applied to compare between deaths from meteorological disasters and all deaths. Results: The total number of deaths for last 12 years was 2 728 505. After exact matching, 642 casualties of meteorological disasters were matched to 6815 all-cause deaths, which were defined as general deaths. The mean age of the meteorological disaster casualties was 51.56, which was lower than that of the general deaths by 17.02 (p<0.001). As for the gender ratio, 62.34% of the meteorological event casualties were male. While 54.09% of the matched all-cause deaths occurred at a medical institution, only 7.6% of casualties from meteorological events did. As for occupation, the rate of those working in agriculture, forestry, and fishery jobs was twice as high in the casualties from meteorological disasters as that in the general deaths (p<0.001). Meteorological disaster-related injuries like drowning were more prevalent in the casualties of meteorological events (57.48%). The rate of amputation and crushing injury in deaths from meteorological disasters was three times as high as in the general deaths Conclusions: The new information gained on the particular characteristics contributing to casualties from meteorological events will be useful for developing prevention policies.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.67-79
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting the utilization of emergency medical services and characteristics of emergency medical services according to age group among elderly individuals. Methods: This study conducted t-test and linear regression analysis on data of 1,960,575 participants to achieve the objective. Results: Analysis of the factors affecting the use of emergency medical services showed statistically significant correlation in all age groups. As the age of elderly people increased, the use of emergency medical service increased. Conclusions: Emergency medical policies are needed, such as coordinators with expert knowledge of medical and health administration and specialist emergency room operations that can provide specialized medical service for older patients.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2012

Objectives: Effective and efficient response for public health crisis necessitate planning how to respond and mobilize the resources in schools. We preformed this study to develop the strategies to improve efficiency of school health education in an outbreak of pandemic disease. Methods: We tried to review the policies, regulations and response systems of all related sectors, and advanced cases associated with pandemic disease control measures by searching databases and on-line networks connected with the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Results: It was important to implement a consistent and systematic approach for educational offices and schools to prevent confusion resulted from the inaccurate information. First, the systems and action plans for school health should be established to prepare and respond to an outbreak of pandemic disease. Secondly, the strategies to improve the efficiency of school health education in public health crisis should be in place. Finally, the personnel pool would be needed to provide the crisis management programs. Conclusion: In order for staffs and students to have abilities to respond in an outbreak of pandemic disease, comprehensive school health approaches and efficient educational efforts should be prepared in collaboration with related sectors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.124-140
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• 2023

Objectives: This study examined the changes in dietary habits, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and mental health problems in the regional areas of the Republic of Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to provide evidence of the status of regional health inequalities. Methods: This study analyzed Korean adults aged 19 or older who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey (n = 686,708) and Consumer Behavior Survey for Foods (n = 19,109) from 2018 to 2020. The participants were classified according to their residence area (Seoul metropolitan area, Metropolitan cities, Provinces); 2018-2019 were defined as before COVID-19, and 2020 as after COVID-19. The dietary behaviors, chronic diseases, and mental health problems were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Results: After COVID-19, the eating-out usage rate in the Seoul metropolitan area and Provinces decreased compared to before COVID-19 (P < 0.001), and when responding that they eat out, the frequency of eating out with household members in the Seoul metropolitan area increased (P = 0.024). The deliveries/takeout usage rate in the Provinces decreased after COVID-19 compared to before (P < 0.001). After COVID-19, the prevalence of obesity decreased in all regions (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of hypertension increased significantly in the Provinces (P = 0.015). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increased continuously before and after COVID-19 in all regions (P < 0.002). High-risk subjective stress levels increased significantly in the Seoul metropolitan area (P < 0.001), and sleep duration significantly increased in all regions (P < 0.001). Major depressive disorder was reduced significantly in Metropolitan cities (P = 0.042) and Provinces (P < 0.001). Conclusions: After the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of chronic diseases and mental health problems showed regional differences along with changes in dietary habits. It is necessary to reflect the regional differences in dietary habits in future policies resolving regional health inequalities.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.59-73
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• 2013

Objectives: Health promotion policies have been developed and implemented in most developed countries. The purpose of this study is to compare the national health promotion plans among Korea, Japan and USA. Methods: Data were collected and involved overview of health promotion plans, formulation of policy, evaluation, monitoring and research, implementation in each countries. I got the some literatures over the governmental websites related to the health promotion. The data from each country were analyzed for comparison. Results: The goals of Healthy People 2020 are to attain high-quality, longer lives, to achieve health equity, to create social and physical environments, to promote quality of life across all life stages. Those of Healthy Japan 21 are increasing the year of healthy life and reducing health disparities. and Those of Health Plan 2020 are prolonging of healthy age and improvement of healthy equity. The number of topic areas and objectives of health promotion in each countries were different. Healthy People 2020 lacks participation of community people and stakeholders in the process of planning, impletation, evaluation. Conclusion: The planning models of health promotion were different among countries. But they reflect the social determinants of health. The health plan goals of Korea were similar to Japan. but were different from USA. The implementation and evaluation systems of USA and Japan were systematic and performed well than those of Korea.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.81-99
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• 1993

The purpose of this research is to assess the geographical distribution of physicians and dentists and the degree of maldistribution of the physician. Data were obtained form the Korean Medical Association's report on physicians registry and census for 1990. To assess the degree of disparity in the rural-urban distribution of physician manpower and to identify changes in the distribution pattern, the Gini index of concentration was used. Major findings are as follows; 1. Urban-rural disparity in the distribution of physician manpower exists in all categories of manpower, i.e. physician, dentist, oriental medical doctor, general practitioner, medical specialist, practitioner, public health physician and public health dentist. Urban area which had 74.4% of nation's population, accounted for over 90% of all physician manpower. 2. In terms of the ration of physician manpower per 10, 000 population, in urban area, they were 8.2 physicians, 2.7 general practitioners, 5.5 specialists, 3.0 practitioners, 1.8 dentists and 1.3 oriental medical doctors. In rural area, the ratios were 1.4 physicians, 0.6 general practitioners, 0.9 specialists, 1.0 practitioners, 0.4 dentists and 0.4 oriental medical doctors. 3. Gini indicies computed to measure inequality of physician manpower distribution were 0. 3675 for physicians, 0.3372 for general practitioners, 0.3338 for specialists, 0.2263 for practitioners, 0.3132 for dentists and 0.3293 for oriental medical doctors. 4. Inspite of increase in the number of physician manpower, urban concentration of physician manpower intensified from 1980 to 1990. However, the Gini index for all physician manpower fell by 18.3~36.7% from 1980 to 1990, indicating more even distribution. 5. In rural area, the public health physicians and dentists had increased the ratios of physicians, general practitioners, practitioners and dentists per 10, 000 population remarkebly, and had decreased the Gini indicies of physicians, general practitioners, practitioners and dentists. Thus, public health physicians and dentists contributed to improve the distribution of physician manpower in rural area. Based on the results of this study, long-term and rational manpower policies should be developed to solve the problem of geographical maldistribution of physician manpower as well as short-term policy for inducing physicians to the rural areas.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.391-400
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine depression in order to identify and improve health care policies promoting health among Korean women. Method: There were 329 participants, all older than 18 years old, and staying in Kyungki-Do, city. The data was collected from July to September 1999. The instrument used for this study was the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) to evaluate depression. The collected data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, $\chi$2-test and Multiple logistic Analysis. Result: The result of this study are as follows: 1. Among the participants, 90.6% had normal to mild depression and 9.4% had severe depression. 2. For general characteristics, there were significant difference in the degree of depression according to age(P=0.0001), and marital status(P=0.0001). As for health related characteristics, the depression scores were affected by health perception(P= 0.0001), menopause(P=0.0005), stress (P= 0.0001) and sexual activity(P=0.0001). 3. There was a significant relationship between marital status and stress. Conclusion: This study suggests that a replicate study is needed. The results are also is useful in developing various nursing intervention programs.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.129-140
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• 2009

Objectives: This study aimed to examined the socioeconomic disparities in oral health related behaviors and to assess if those behaviors eliminate socioeconomic disparities in oral health in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 30-64. Methods: Data are from the Korea Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005). Behaviors were indicated by smoking, over intake of daily calories from carbohydrate, perceived stress, frequency of daily tooth brushing, use of oral hygiene goods, insufficient oral treatment. Oral health outcomes were self-reported dental caries and periodontitis during the last 12 months and perceived oral health. Education, household income, and employed status indicated socioeconomic position. Sex, age, residential area, marital status were adjusted for in the logistic regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess socioeconomic disparities in behaviors. Logistic regression model adjusting and not adjusting for behaviors were compared to assess the change in socioeconomic disparities in oral health. Results: Clear socioeconomic disparities in all behaviors were showed. After adjusting for behaviors, the association between oral health and socioeconomic indicators attenuated but did not disappear. For example, the odd ratios of reporting poorer oral health for persons in no education or elementary school education and middle school education groups, compared with college or higher education group, were 1.77 (95% CI: 1.36-2.29) and 1.56 (1.19-1.97), respectively. After adjusting for all indicators of behaviors, these odds ratios attenuated to 1.54 (1.17-2.03) and 1.48 (1.15-1.91) for those groups, respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the presence of more complex determinants of socioeconomic disparities in oral health should be considered with developing preventive policies for those disparities.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.272-279
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• 2002

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze health service utilization, and its related factors in low income families who earned half of the average Korean household income. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey study in which a nationwide randomization sampling technique was used. The data were collected from July 12 to August 7, 1999, and the total sample size was 5,819 individuals, belonging to 1.753 households. Results: 1) In the utilization of health services for the last 3months, the pharmacy was the type of service that was the most utilized (32.0%), and the health center was the one that was the least utilized (10.3%). About 29% (29.2%) of the respondents could not utilize the health service at all. and 19.8% of the respondents terminated their medical treatments half way to completion because of financial difficulty (89.4%). 2) Analysis of the data using logistic regression showed that living with spouse, level of education, occupation, and income had statistically significant effects on health service utilization. Conclusion: The parameters of health care policies are equity and efficacy for health status, and the health service utilization by low income families. The conclusive resolution for these is the improvement of public health centers for an increased utilization rate of their services.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.84-91
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the problems and improvement areas by reviewing the laws related to kindergarden healthcare workers. Methods: The laws were searched at the Korean law information center (https://www.law.go.kr/). We reviewed the 「Early Childhood Education Act」, 「School Health Act」, 「Medical Service Act」, 「Elementary and Secondary Education Act」and their enforcement decrees and rules. Results: The legal role of health teachers as school healthcare professionals was comprehensively specified by the 「School Health Act. However, the qualifications for and roles of health teachers were not fully described in 「Early Childhood Education Act], indicating a unclear legal basis for the qualifications for and roles of kindergarten health teachers. To support healthcare workers in kindergartens, it is necessary to amend the 「Early Childhood Education Act」 that provides the guidelines for qualifications for kindergarten health teachers in elementary, secondary, and special schools who have completed necessary continuing education. A health hub kindergarten could be a step-by-step option for all kindergartens to have healthcare workers. Conclusion: This review demonstrated the importance of amending the laws on kindergarten health teachers and health hub kindergartens for child health and safety. These findings could be used to support policies related to kindergarten healthcare workers.