• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.408-414
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the sociodemographic and health characteristics on the out-of-pocket health spending of the individuals aged 20 and older in Korea. Methods : We used the data from the 2001 National Public Health and Nutrition Survey. The final sample size was 26,154 persons. Multiple linear regression models were used according to the age groups, that is, one model was used for those people under the age of sixty-five and the other was used for those people aged sixty-five and older. In these analyses, the expenditures were transformed to a logarithmic scale to reduce the skewness of the results. Results : Out-of-pocket health expenditures for those people under the age of 65 averaged 14,800 won per month, whereas expenditures for those people aged 65 and older averaged 27,200 won per month. In the regression analysis, the insurance type, resident area, self-reported health status, acute or chronic condition and bed-disability days were the statistically significant determinants for both age groups. Gender and age were statistically significant determinants only for the non-elderly. Conclusions : The findings from this study show that the mean out-of-pocket health expenditures varied according to the age groups and also several diverse characteristics. Thus, policymakers should consider the out-of-pocket health expenditure differential between the elderly and non-elderly persons. Improvement of the insurance coverage for the economically vulnerable subgroups that were identified in this study should be carefully considered. In addition, it is necessary to assess the impact of out-of-pocket spending on the peoples' health care utilization.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.156-164
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• 2018

This study analyzed the characteristics of Physical Environment of existing free shuttle bus Interior centered on elderly people who frequently use free shuttle buses. The purpose of this study is to provide basic data that can be used for improvement of existing free shuttle buses. In the case of the old type, in terms of accessible design, the middle entrance is not normally opened except the wheelchair occupant, so that the entrance of the front wheel is always used. Therefore, most elderly people go to the back seat and travel distance is twice longer. In addition, many stairs caused frequent inconveniences for boarding. In the case of the new type, it is planned to be a low-floor type, and various types of safety rods and handles, pictograms for enhancing the information convenience are well-equipped, and the measured value of the overall design characteristic is high. However, in the case of mental stability, it was confirmed that the seat of the bus is colored with a cold color system and is in a different relationship with the warm color which can feel mental stability. Overall, both old and new shuttle buses lack audiovisual feedback on bus routes and route guidance in terms of Supportive design. Also, since the cleaning tools and other miscellaneous items were left in the room, it became an obstacle to space utilization in terms of adaptable design. In terms of safety, both shuttle buses did not come into view with fire extinguishers shaded by miscellaneous items. Therefore, immediate action is unlikely in case of emergency. This problem should be resolved quickly.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.182-187
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• 2022

This study aims to study non-rechargeable wrist-type smart bands for those vulnerable to the digital environment. The transition to the digital age means improving the efficiency of human life and the convenience of management. In the digital age, it can be a very convenient infrastructure for the digital generation, but otherwise, it can cause inconvenience. COVID-19 is spreading non-face-to-face culture. The reality is that the vulnerable are complaining of discomfort in non-face-to-face culture. The core of the digital environment is smartphones. Digital life is spreading around smartphones. Technology that drives the digital environment is the core technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The technologies are lot, big data, Blockchain, Smart Mobility, and AI. Related technologies based on these technologies include digital ID cards, digital keys, and nfc technologies. Non-rechargeable wrist-type smart bands based on related technologies can be conceptualized. Through these technologies, blind people can easily access books and manage their ID cards conveniently and efficiently. In particular, access authentication is required wherever you go due to COVID-19, which can be used as a useful tool for the elderly who feel uncomfortable using smartphones. It can also eliminate the inconvenience of the elderly finding or losing their keys.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

This study aims to analyze the trend of changes in the elderly living arrangement over the past 20 years and the reasons why the elderly choose these changes. The subjects of the survey were households aged 65 years or older in Korea. Data from the survey of Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted in 2004, 2014, 2020 were used for the analysis. The result of analysis was as follows; First, since 2000, the number of elderly households living with their children has been rapidly decreasing, while the number of elderly couple households and single elderly households is gradually increasing. Second, elderly living alone appeared more in rural areas, women, older people, and elderly with low education. They are in a vulnerable position that needs help. Therefore, welfare policies for the elderly should be focused on elderly single households. Finally the reason for choosing elderly single household in 2020 was that the voluntary choice by the individual accounted for a much higher rate than the unintentional choice by the children. In addition, the life satisfaction of the elderly who arbitrarily selected the living arrangement was higher than that of the elderly who deliberately chose the living arrangement.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.557-564
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• 2018

Along with the aging society, the prevalence of dementia is also increasing. Dementia causes short-term memory loss as well as difficulties of performing daily activities and gradually causes suffering of the patients and their family. In spite of various programs for prevention of dementia of older people are being implemented, there is a lack of developing natural-based program for physical and mental health promotion. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs for the elderly living alone who are more vulnerable to dementia because of their social and economic isolation. The purpose of this study was to develop a natural-based program and investigate the effects of 10 weeks forest therapy program for dementia prevention to improve the psychological and physical health of the elderly living alone. The experimental subjects were 30 elderly (aged 65 or older) and 31 elderly participated in control group. The Stress response, depressive symptoms, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass and muscle mass were measured for pre and post test. The results showed that the experimental group showed subjective stress relief (t=5.249, p=.000), improvement in symptoms of depression (t=4.152, p=.000), and decreases in weight (t=2.686, p=.012), BMI (t=2.629, p=.014) and fat mass (t=2.918, p=.007) after the forest therapy program. The experimental group showed lower stress reactions(t=-7.185, p=.000) and less depressive symptoms (t=-5.303, p=.000) than control group after participating the program. These results suggest that periodic forest exposure can help having less stressful and depressive status than non-forest exposure and the forest therapy program can reduce participants' psychological and physical risk factors of dementia.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2338-2344
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• 2021

Background: The therapeutic exercise method using kinesiology taping (KT) has been reported to be effective in activating the suprahyoid muscle in healthy adults. However, its applicability and effectiveness are not known to the physically vulnerable elderly. Objectives: To investigate the effects of kinesiology taping on the activity of suprahyoid muscles in community-dwelling elderly people. Design: Repeated measure design. Methods: We enrolled 23 healthy elderly adults (age range 60-75 years) with no history of neurologic disease. Participants performed five consecutive spontaneous swallowing actions at 5-second intervals under three conditions (KT with 80% stretch, placebo-KT, and non-KT. Activation of the suprahyoid muscles during swallowing in the three conditions was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). In addition, a 0-10 numerical rating self-report scale was used to evaluate the required effort and the resistance felt during swallowing. Results: KT with 80% stretch were significantly higher in sEMG mean value, peak value, required effort, and resistance felt during swallowing compared to other two conditions (P<.05, all). KT with 80% stretch required the most effort during swallowing and, consequently, has a positive effect on increasing suprahyoid muscle activation. Conclusion: Our results could be taken into consideration in therapeutic exercise method for suprahyoid muscle in dysphagia rehabilitation.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the effect of taking calcium/vitamin D supplements and performing Taekkyeon exercises on the frailty of the elderly targeting a vulnerable senior social group. Methods: A total of 124 people aged 65 and older consisting of 60 persons in the experimental group, and 64 persons in the control group participated in this study, and this study is a non-equivalent control group pre/post-test design quasi-experimental study. This study analyzed the homogeneity between the experimental group and the control group using a chi-square test and t-test while analyzing the difference in the degree of frailty and bone density with the practice of Taekkyeon and a calcium agent using t-test and GEE. Results: The study results showed that the frailty and bone density of the experimental group significantly improved. Conclusion: Through this study, it was confirmed that calcium/vitamin D intake and Taekkyeon exercises were an effective intervention which strengthened the elderly's physical condition.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to identify research trends in papers related to the elderly and the disabled published in the journal of Korean society for school & community health education from 2000 to 2023 and seek the direction of the academic development of this journal in the future. Method: A total of 26 articles related to the elderly and the disabled, who are vulnerable groups, were analyzed by year by analyzing the specific subjects, research themes, research design, data collection methods, and keywords of papers published from 2000 to 2023. Results: Looking at the research subjects, studies on the elderly (18 studies) accounted for a larger proportion than studies on the disabled (8 studies). Research themes in the field of healthy living practices for the elderly (44.4%) and research in the field of mental health management (37.5%) for the disabled accounted for a high proportion. The design of research were mostly quantitative and cross-sectional studies. Data collection is mostly based on secondary data. In studies targeting the elderly, keywords appeared in the following order: 'Health' and 'Elderly'. And research targeting the disabled appeared in the following order: 'Disabilities', 'Health', and 'COVID-19'. Additionally, research on the elderly and the disabled has recently shown an increasing trend. Conclusion: Research on the elderly and the disabled has been conducted in line with the purpose of the Korean society for school & community health education, However, In terms of quantitative expansion and qualitative research, research themes, research designs, and data collection methods must be diversified. Methods, public perception. Additionally, research on vulnerable groups that fit the public health promotion and health education paradigm is needed.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.477-482
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• 2024

Since the Act on Punishment of Serious Accident has been implemented, the role of construction companies in safety and health and the responsibility of CEO are strengthened. However, serious accidents still occur. Due to population decline and young people's reluctance into the construction industry, the ratio of elderly workers and foreign workers is increasing at construction sites. In this study, a survey was conducted to identify differences in the perception of importance of smart safety technology among vulnerable groups such as foreign workers, elderly workers, and workers with health conditions. Vulnerable workers recognize the importance of smart technology in the fields of foreign language support, risk warning, and body wear monitoring, and the conclusion was drawn that smart technology should be expanded for vulnerable groups in the future.

• Atmosphere
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.225-234
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• 2014

Analysis of the cause of death (Statistics Korea) showed that heat wave caused 442 deaths (21 per a year) from 1991 to 2011 in Korea. The number of summer heat-related deaths (heat disorders) increased exponentially as heat wave prolonged. In 1994 when the extreme heat wave prevailed, there were 92 heat-related deaths. Seasonally, heat-related deaths occurred most frequently in early August when air temperature is highest for a year, but it is frequent as well in late July when air temperature increases rapidly after withdrawal of Changma. The frequency of deaths by age has begun to increase from 40s and more than half of total deaths were occurred in the elderly (${\geq}60$). Except retired elderly, the most vulnerable group (job and age) was the elderly agricultural workers and the next was the jobless people in 40 s~50 s, assumed as homeless people. The most vulnerable regions were Hapcheon-gun, Uiryong-gun, and Sanchen-gun, which are inland rural area in Gyeongsang-do where the heat wave occurs most frequently in Korea. The heat-related death rate increased rapidly when air temperature exceeded $33^{\circ}C$ in both of the urban and rural area. Interestingly, the heat-related death were observed in the relatively lower temperature in the cities ($29^{\circ}C$), as compare to the rural area ($31^{\circ}C$).