• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.420-427
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• 2019

Introduction: To prevent and manage the societal and economic burden of occupational diseases (ODs), countries should develop strong prevention policies, health surveillance and registry systems. This study aims to contribute to the improvement of OD surveillance at national level as well as to identify priority actions in Turkey. Methods: The history and current status of occupational health studies were considered from the perspective of OD surveillance. Interpretative research was done through literature review on occupational health at national, regional and international level. Analyses were focused on countries' experiences in policy development and practice, roles and responsibilities of institutions, multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. OD surveillance models of Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands were examined through exchange visits. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the peculiarities of legislative and institutional structures, the best and worst practices, and approach principles. Results: Some countries are more focused on exploring OD trends through effective and cost-efficient researches, with particular attention to new and emerging ODs. Other countries try to reach every single case of OD for compensation and rehabilitation. Each practice has advantages and shortcomings, but they are not mutually exclusive, and thus an effective combination is possible. Conclusion: Effective surveillance and registry approaches play a key role in the prevention of ODs. A well-designed system enables monitoring and assessment of OD prevalence and trends, and adoption of preventive measures while improving the effectiveness of redressing and compensation. A robust surveillance does not only provide protection of workers' health but also advances prevention of economic losses.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.256-264
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• 2016

Equity-focused public health policy has solid theoretical and practical basis, in addition to ethical one. In the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea), however, equity in health has not had a high priority in policy goals, regardless of policy areas and particular actors or approaches. Equitable health has been only a minor concern in most public health issues and their decision-making. Generic public health policies are needed to reduce inequity in health, but the importance of a firm basis for sound policy-making cannot be overemphasized. Health equity should be 'mainstreamed' in all public health policies. Potential approaches include intersectoral collaboration, health impact assessment, and 'Health in All Policies.' Public policy agendas for equitable health cannot be formulated without measurement and recognition of the problem. Korea is still suffering from the lack of reliable information on the current status of health inequity, resulting in a relatively weak awareness of the problem among both the general public and policy-makers. More information is needed to increase recognition and awareness that will increase intervention and actions. The absence of decision-making and actions should not be justified even by the lack of information on determinants and pathways of health inequities. Generic plausible solutions can often work in the real world according to political and social commitment. I have discussed several aspects of public health policy from the perspective of health equity, focusing on current status and plausible explanation. Policy process, agenda setting in particular, is highlighted and theories and concepts are presented along with analysis and description of current situation.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2007

Background: Intersectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration is becoming more prominent in all facets of government, health, social services, and scientific endeavors. An interplay of a multitude of driving forces moves multiple disciplines forward to achieve quality outcomes in health and social sciences services and research. Aim: This paper aims at discussing the prospects for future multidisciplinary collaboration. If inter organizational integration and multidisciplinary collaboration are the ways of the future in academia and the scientific world, it then becomes crucial to examine what lies ahead for the nursing profession, Discussion: This paper argues that in order for multidisciplinary endeavors to succeed, the leaders in multidisciplinary teams shoulder the largest share of the responsibilities involved. In developing a lasting team constituting professionals from different disciplines, the leader needs to include the right individuals in the team, identify a common goal, build trusting relationships through open communication and interprofessional education, and empower members through creating room for autonomy and at the same time allowing space for personal development. The leader will need to utilize information technologies to manage communication issues in a large multi-site multidisciplinary project. Lastly, he or she must be able to demonstrate team productivity through process and outcome evaluation. It needs to be emphasized that it falls to each individual nurse to speak up and act upon what nursing believes and represents in our quest for success in multidisciplinary endeavors. Conclusion: The significance of the role of the leader is paramount for a team to succeed. Yet there is no prospect if only a handful of exceptional nurse leaders are moving ahead in multidisciplinary endeavors. Without the actualization of professional roles by each individual nurse, the profession will have no prospect in collaborations across disciplines.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate healthy city project related characteristics to members of the Korea Healthy Cities Partnership(KHCP). Methods: This study analyzed general characteristics of healthy city, characteristics of healthy city(political support, collaboration & citizen participation, healthy city project, infrastructure development, capacity building), self-evaluation of healthy city and etc by self-questionnaires from February to December, 2007, which were distributed to government workers who were in charged in health city project of 23 membership cities of KHCP. Results: The number of urban city was 11(47.8%) and that of rural municipality was 12(52.5%). Public health center was almost in charge of healthy city project(73.9%). As for the characteristics of healthy city, healthy city municipal budget(91.3%), city health profile(91.3%), technical support of cooperative university(82.6%), healthy city regulation(78.3%), citizen participation(78.3%), committee(73.9%), setting approach(69.9%) and healthy city network(69.6%) were good. But intersectoral collaboration(34.8%), long-term healthy city plan(39.1%), administrative policy or campaign promise(43.5%), programs to the vulnerable population(47.8%), department in charge(47.8%) and seminar(47.8%) were not good. Especially, characteristics of healthy city according to the existence of department in charge were significantly different in intersectoral collaboration, citizen participation, setting approach and healthy city network. Conclusions: In spite of rapid expansion in healthy cities, there were great difficulty in political support, collaboration, department in charge and programs of health equity. So we need to go a long way to achieve the vision of healthy cites by its principles and characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.13-23
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• 2015

Objectives: his study was performed to examine whether a community organization strategy had been driven by core values explicit in Ottawa Charter and to give some suggestions for using values in health promotion practice in Korea. Methods: We searched literature online with key words of 'values', 'health promotion', and/or 'Ottawa Charter', etc, and reviewed published papers on design, implementation, and evaluation of Health Plus Happiness Plus Projects in Gyeongsangnam-Do, a community organization strategy. Results: Evident core values since Ottawa Charter had been holistic definition of health, empowerment, community participation, addressing the impact of broader determinants of health, reducing social inequities and injustice, and intersectoral collaboration. A community organization strategy was good at realization of most values. Some ways for value-driven health promotion practice were suggested. Conclusions: More discussion and debate on values in health promotion are needed in Korea.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.72-111
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• 1996

Background: Group occupational health program by non-for-profit agency, started five years ago, for management of health problems in small and medium sized industries, is one of the measures to cope with limited human and financial resources in occupational health. The program has been rapidly expanding to include 54 participating institutions, private as well as public, all over the country. In spite of its potential impact on health of employees and practice of occupational health in small and medium sized industries, comprehensive evaluation in terms of quality has not been tried. Objectives : The aim of this study are to develop and apply criteria to assess quality of newly developed Korean group occupational health program. Methods : By defining occupational health services, in particular for small and medium sized industries, as one of the primary health care, we included followings as core elements of sound occupational health program; accessibility, continuity, intersectoral collaboration, comprehensiveness, community participation, technical quality, adequacy, focus on preventive services, acceptability, and workers' satisfaction. Again we divided each elements into five major components of national health system infrastructures developed by World Health Organization; development of health resources organized arrangement or resources, delivery of health care, economic support, and management. In turn, we categorized each component into input, process and outcome aspects. After discussions in expert panel, several criteria were selected for evaluation of program. The criteria were modified according to each group of interviewees. Results: We developed five sets of questionnaire that evaluate the quality of 'Group occupational health program'. Conclusion : The refining of the measurement tool and the continuing evaluation process for the 'Group occupational health institute' should be done further.