• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4062-4080
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• 2022

COVID-19, a highly infectious disease, has affected the globe tremendously since its outbreak during late 2019 in Wuhan, China. In order to respond to the pandemic, governments around the world introduced a variety of public health measures including contact-tracing, a method to identify individuals who may have come into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient, which usually leads to quarantine of certain individuals. Like many other governments, the South Korean health authorities adopted public health measures using latest data technologies. Key data technology-based quarantine measures include:(1) Electronic Entry Log; (2) Self-check App; and (3) COVID-19 Wristband, and heavily relied on individual's personal information for contact-tracing and self-isolation. In fact, during the early stages of the pandemic, South Korea's strategy proved to be highly effective in containing the spread of coronavirus while other countries suffered significantly from the surge of COVID-19 patients. However, while the South Korean COVID-19 policy was hailed as a success, it must be noted that the government achieved this by collecting and processing a wide range of personal information. In collecting and processing personal information, the data minimum principle - one of the widely recognized common data principles between different data protection laws - should be applied. Public health measures have no exceptions, and it is even more crucial when government activities are involved. In this study, we provide an analysis of how the governments around the world reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate whether the South Korean government's digital quarantine measures ensured the protection of its citizen's right to privacy.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.23-42
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• 2006

Services, despite the difficulty of its exact definition, can be defined as deeds, efforts, or performances by economical bodies, attributing to four unique characteristics - intangibility, inseparability, heterogeneity, and perishability. This study aims to research the global competition and problems of the local professional services, especially educational services and health services, and to suggest some devices for increasing the exportation of both educational services and health services. Educational services and health services were reserved in the multilateral negotiation to open the WTO parties' markets because of its national public benefits. But it is indispensable to open our local market by the bilateral FTA negotiation. Legal restrictions, therefore, related to both education and health should be erased according to the basic rule of the market competition, and it is advisable to control the national public benefit of these services by enacting the different legal systems. For recovering from minus balance of payment in the educational services or health services, furthermore, it is necessary to drive rather some offensive exporting policies than the defensive policy against supply from the foreign countries. In conclusion, the korean Foreign Trade Act and other relative acts should be revised, and both educational services and health services should be contained within the definition of "the international trade" for the governmental benefits of supporting the services exportation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1473-1478
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• 2016

Background: Cigarette smoking is as the leading cause of cancer mortality and other chronic diseases in males worldwide. The prevalence of cigarette smoking is different across and within countries by age, education level, occupation, and so on. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and its relationship with individuals' demographic factors and BMI in adolescent men living in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study involved secondary analysis of the 'Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool-2' survey conducted in Tehran, Iran, among men aged 20+, 2011-2012. Using a multistage sampling method, 45,990 men were included in the study. The cigarette smoking status, BMI and demographic factors measured through a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression model were used to examine the relationships between the independents variables and cigarette smoking behavior, using SPSS software version 21. Results: In the total of 45,990 men, the overall prevalence of cigarette smoking was 14.6% (CI 95%: 14.29-14.94). Age (OR=0.96; CI 95%:0.94-0.98), house ownership (OR=0.68; CI 95%: 0.64-0.72), job status (OR=0.60; CI 95%: 0.46-0.86), marital status (OR=0.42; CI 95%: 0.39-0.47) and educational levels (OR=0.50; CI95%: 0.45-0.54) were associated with the prevalence of cigarette smoking. However, associations with BMI, family size, residency years, and district were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Given the relatively high prevalence of cigarette smoking in the study population, policy interventions are required to address this major public health issue, with a focus on the population demographic influences.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.83-90
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• 2012

A study was investigated the effects of the probiotic mixture (PM) contained Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) SY-99 $2.4{\times}10^9CFU/kg$ and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) SJ-61 $2.2{\times}10^9CFU/kg$ on growth performance and fecal microflora counts of broiler chickens. Referred to the previous studies, a total of 160 one-day-old male broiler chicken (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups, which were a basal diet alone (control) and supplemented with PM 0.1 g/kg feed (T1), PM 0.2 g/kg feed (T2), and PM 0.4 g/kg feed (T3). After 28 days of administration, the average daily feed intake of T1 and T3 was significantly different compared to that of control (p<0.05). In addition, the feed conversion ratio of T2 and T3 was significantly improved compared to that of control (p<0.05). On the 28th day after administration, all treatment groups were significantly increased fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts and decreased fecal Enterobacteriaceae (ENT) counts compared to T1 (p<0.05). The results of this study indicated that the combination of L. plantarum and B. subtilis strains in the range of 0.2-0.4 g/kg feed could be used for the improvement of growth performance and fecal microflora in broiler chickens.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2022

Objectives: Access to maternal and neonatal care services (MNCS) is an important goal of health policy in developing countries. In this study, we proposed a 3-level hierarchical location-allocation model to maximize the coverage of MNCS providers in Iran. Methods: First, the necessary criteria for designing an MNCS network were explored. Birth data, including gestational age and birth weight, were collected from the data bank of the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network national registry based on 3 service levels (I, II, and III). Vehicular travel times between the points of demand and MNCS providers were considered. Alternative MNCS were mapped in some cities to reduce access difficulties. Results: It was found that 130, 121, and 86 MNCS providers were needed to respond to level I, II, and III demands, respectively, in 373 cities. Service level III was not available in 39 cities within the determined travel time, which led to an increased average travel time of 173 minutes to the nearest MNCS provider. Conclusions: This study revealed inequalities in the distribution of MNCS providers. Management of the distribution of MNCS providers can be used to enhance spatial access to health services and reduce the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This method may provide a sustainable healthcare solution at the policy and decision-making level for regional, or even universal, healthcare networks.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.253-262
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• 2020

Background: The public health care system of a country is shaped and driven by its historical background as well as social, economic, and cultural structures. This study sheds light on the unique features, strengths, and weaknesses of the health insurance systems of South Korea (Korea) and Peru. Methods: The capacity mapping tool was used to explore the Korean and Peruvian population and geographical structures; health insurance laws, regulations, and policies; payment systems; eligibility and contribution collection; and long-term care insurance. Results: The study found that the Korean government took the lead in integrating multiple insurers into a single-payer system in an effort to reinforce and stabilize its health insurance system in 2000. Peru has been developed mixed model such based on taxes and contributions, to address a gap between different social classes. Peruvian government developed a two-axis system, one for low-income earners, financed by taxes, and another financed by contributions paid by workers and government officials in the formal sector. Peru has introduced many variations to its fee payment and insurer systems, target population, and coverage scope, and maintains its health insurance system accordingly to this day. Conclusion: The current study provides observation of the Health Insurance System in two different countries and helps to understand possible ways to improve the health insurance system in both countries. Based on this study, Peru will be able to see how its system differs from Korea's and benefit from the related policy implications.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2004

The United States has a unique health care system, which is unlikely any other health care systems in the world. The major part of basic functional components of the system -financing, insurance, delivery, and payment- is in private hands. A market-oriented economy invites the participation of numerous private entities that are interested in carrying out the key functions of health systems. Due to this central feature, U.S.health care is not delivered through a network of interrelated components designed to work together coherently. For lack of standardization, the various components of the system fit together only loosely. The involvement of numerous players in the key functions leads to duplication, overlap, inadequacy, inconsistency, and waste, which add to the complexity and also make the system inefficient. Hence, cost containment remains an elusive goals. Moreover, the system falls short of delivering equitable services to all americans, though consumption of health care services is the largest in the world. On the other hand, United States leads the world in the latest and the best in medical technology, medical training, and research. It offers some of the most sophisticated institutions, products, and processes of health care delivery. This article discuss the characteristic features of the U.S. health care system. and its performance, trying to seek its implication on Korean health care system.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.109-119
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• 2019

Background : Germany is the first country in the world to introduce modern systems of public health insurance, and the country which most widely uses complementary alternative medicine(CAM) in Europe. In early 21^st century, a large evaluation studies were conducted to include acupuncture in health insurance payments, which were eventually decided. Objectives : This study is to investigate and analyze the process of public policy determination on insurance coverage for acupuncture in German health insurance system. Methods : We collected the data and information through the literature search and from the websites of German government departments and health insurance organizations. To obtain contextual information, German experts of health insurance and acupuncture clinical study were interviewed. Results : As use of acupuncture had been growing, German public health insurers wanted to evaluate the validity of acupuncture coverage and sponsored three evaluation projects for clinical effectiveness of acupuncture using randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and pragmatic trials from 2001 to 2005. For some pain condition, acupuncture was founded not to be effective than sham acupuncture, but more effective than standard care. The federal joint committee of health insurance decided to cover acupuncture for chronic pain of lumbar spine and chronic pain in at least one knee joint due to gonarthrosis. Conclusions : Considering the controversial subject matter in the process of acupuncture's health insurance coverage in Germany, expanding the benefits of Korean medicine in Korea needs to come up with ways to overcome the difficulties of placebo effect, standardization and lack of literature evidence.

• Korean Public Health Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.111-120
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to introduce the progress of health promoting schools in Korea and future tasks. Method: From 2009 to 2018, we reviewed the literature on health promotion schools in Korea conducted by the Ministry of Education Results: Over the past decade, Korean health promoting schools have operated from a minimum of 14 schools to a maximum of 98 schools each year. As a result of the effectiveness evaluation, it was found that the students had a positive influence not only on the health behavior but also on the whole school life. Under the organic cooperation of the Ministry of Education, the Office of Education, the Korean Educational Development Institute and the schools, consulting, provision of educational opportunities for teachers, promotion of good practices, and public relations support systems for generalization are well established. Conclusion: Promotion and support system for Korean health promoting schools are already well established. Nevertheless, there are limitations on the universalization of health promoting schools, so various attempts such as introduction of certification system should be continued to overcome them.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2024

Background: In this study, we investigate the rapid increase in environmental odors and notable rise in civil complaints near Dorim Stream in the Gwanak-gu area of Seoul. Objectives: This study aims to identify the causal compounds responsible for environmental odors in the Dorim Stream and investigate the structural characteristics of the stream that influence odor generation. Methods: The research methodology involved setting up 41 sampling points, selecting panels for direct sensory evaluation to assess odor intensity, measuring dissolved oxygen and hydrogen sulfide concentrations, and using all-in-one low-temperature desorption gas chromatography (ATD-GC) and thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) analysis to identify odor-causing compounds. Results: The evaluation of Dorim Stream revealed that in areas with complete meandering, there were lower dissolved oxygen levels (4.5±2.67 mg/L) and higher odor intensity (4.0±0.92), while in partially meandering sections, higher dissolved oxygen levels (7.8±1.15 mg/L) and lower odor intensity (2.8±1.06) were observed. Hydrogen sulfide levels measured with sensors increased with higher temperatures, especially in the afternoon hours (12:00~14:00). Acetaldehyde was the dominant odor compound detected in both the Bonglim Bridge (0.4 ppm) area and Guro Bridge area (0.867 ppm), with concentrations more than twice as high near Guro Bridge. Odor-causing compounds identified by TD-GC/MS indicated a pungent, sulfurous odor in the Guro Bridge area and a musty odor in the Bonglim Bridge area. Conclusions: This study categorizes and analyzes the sources of odor in Dorim Stream in Seoul based on meandering patterns and the distribution of sewage facilities, highlighting the potential odor issues associated with combined sewage systems and sewer junctions and suggesting policy improvements.