• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2019

This study is to identify the heat vulnerability area as represented by heat risk factors which could be attributable to heat-related deaths. The heat risk factors were temperature, Older Adults(OA), Economic Disadvantage(ED), Accessibility of Medical Services(AMS), The population Single Person Households(SPH). The factors are follow as; the temperature means to the number of days for decades average daily maximum temperature above $31^{\circ}C$, the Older Adults means to population ages 65 and above, furthermore, the Economic Disadvantage means to the population of Basic Livelihood Security Recipients(BLSR), the Accessibility of Medical Services(AMS) means to 5 minutes away from emergency medical services. The results of the analysis are showed that the top-level of temperature vulnerability areas is Dong, the top-level of vulnerability OA areas is Eup, the top-level of AMS vulnerability is Eup. Moreover, the top-level of vulnerability ED area appears in the Eup and Dong. The result of analysing relative importance to each element, most of the Eup were vulnerable to heat. Since, there are many vulnerable groups such as Economic Disadvantage, Older Adults in the Eup. We can be figured out estimated the number of heat-related deaths was high in the Eup and Dong by the data of emergency activation in the Chungcheongnam-do Fire Department. Therefore, the result of this study could be reasonable.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.277-285
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• 2019

Heat watch warning systems are operating in Korea and several other countries (China, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Germany, Australia, and Japan). The heat wave indices used in this system are the heat index, perceived temperature, the wet bulb globe temperature, and the daily maximum temperature. To improve the heat wave advisory and warning system, some suggestions have been made. The meteorological-health index (i.e., indirect index), has especially been proposed in previous studies. This information should be provided not only to vulnerable groups (seniors, infants, and children), but also to outdoor workers who may be particularly exposed to heat waves. In addition, to have sufficient preemptive response times, the need for an extension of the heat watch warning period was suggested. Finally, the subdivision of administrative units and risk stages was proposed.

• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.113-118
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• 2022

Global warming has also increased the number of casualties caused by heat-related diseases caused by heat waves along with an increase in global temperature. The vulnerable groups from heat wave damage are outdoor workers and the elderly in particular, and it is necessary to respond the increasing heat wave damage. We propose a real-time control platform in order to reduce casualties of the vulnerable group from heatwaves, this research collects and analyzes user's vital signs data from wearable devices that generates alarms out of the suspected victims who are expected to be affected by heat-related illness and to respond quickly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2023

Purpose: Compared to cities, rural areas are in a medical blind spot and face difficulties in accessing medical services due to inconvenient transportation facilities, lack of medical facilities, and the heavy burden of medical expenses. This study was carried out to identify the problems relating to the musculoskeletal system of the elderly in rural and fishing villages, which are medically vulnerable areas, and sought to present a regionally differentiated healthcare model. Methods: The study was conducted in 80 elderly people in two rural villages and two fishing villages after seeking inputs regarding medically vulnerable groups in the Gyeongnam Province. Postural balance and muscle flexibility were assessed and postural evaluation was conducted to identify musculoskeletal problems and gait stability. Strength and range of motion for each body segment were assessed for evaluating functional motion. Results: The elderly in both rural areas showed forward head posture characteristics. The strength level of the elderly in both rural areas was higher than the average, but their flexibility and balance ability were lower than the average. Conclusion: The musculoskeletal problems of the elderly in rural and fishing villages in this study did not show regional characteristics according to the area of residence. However, overall flexibility and balance ability appeared to be reduced. Therefore, a new management model connecting the region and the university is necessary in preparation for the coming era of community care.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.147-160
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• 2007

This research challenges the general notion of one-person households of the elderly during widowhood as impoverished, isolated, and vulnerable. Recognizing a high potential vulnerability, however, this research attempts to describe the diverse composition of one-person households of the elderly. For this purpose, relying on 2% sample data from the 2000 census, it examines regional distribution, socio-economic characteristics, and determinants of one-person households of the elderly during widowhood. Socio-economic characteristics of one-person households of the elderly differ by region. Jeju island is distinct in terms of sex and age distribution, and residence area of children. In general, rates of economic activity and self-subsistence are higher in provinces than in cities. Compared to the elderly living with family, the elderly living alone show high rates of economic activity, self-subsistence, and capability of physical activity. Results of logistic regression analysis of determinants of living arrangement are consistent with those of descriptive statistics. Those who are economically active and able to move around without assistance tend to live alone after the death of a spouse. Number of sons and living in an urban area are negatively associated with living alone, whereas females are more likely than males to live alone. According to the separate analysis by age, the positive effect of economic activity is greater in the oldest of the old than in other age groups. Those who possess high educational attainment tend to live alone when they are 80 and older, unlike other age groups. Based on these findings, this paper finds that one-person households of the elderly nay not always be the most vulnerable group, and are diverse in terms of socioeconomic characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2013

Problems of housing, healthcare, social exchanges, and lonely feelings of vulnerable social groups such as the elderly living alone in rural and fishing villages should be resolved by guaranteeing minimum residential rights and levels to restore the sense of self-esteem and social stability and to maintain the rural communities and these should be the object of social interest and support. The housing problems of rural and fishing villages should be resolved not through supply to meet demand but by beginning with providing the ways to attain mutual interaction through the program that recognizes housing as merit goods to maintain the regional communities This research examines more minutely the problems caused by poor housing conditions of rural and fishing villages and attempts to present rural and fishing village type community living home as an alternative through regeneration. The results of this research are as follows. First, the administrative support system should be built to support the community living home in its beginning, process, completion, and even post management. Second, education for reinforcing capabilities to help understand the community living home should continually conducted on the occupants, villagers, and related organizations. Third, in order to expand the community living home, research and development should be made so that the zero-energy house, the alternative energy utilizing house, etc. can be widely used. In building community living home for vulnerable social groups in rural and fishing villages, practical alternatives suitable to the regional realities should be presented and practiced so that the community living home can be built to the satisfaction of all the villagers and the occupants, and the improvement measures should be presented through constant interest and monitoring.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2009

Objectives : This study presents a scientific basis for the establishment of an environmental health contingency plan for dealing with accidental coastal oil spills and suggests some strategies for use in an environmental health emergency. Methods : We reviewed the existing literature, and analyzed the various fundamental factors involved in response strategies for oil spill. Our analysis included data derived from Hebei Spirit oil spill and used air dispersion modeling. Results : Spill amounts of more than 1,000 kl can affect the health of residents along the coast, especially those who belong to vulnerable groups. Almost 30% of South Korean population lives in the vicinity of the coast. The area that is at the highest risk for a spill and that has the greatest number of people at risk is the stretch of coastline from Busan to Tongyeong. The most prevalent types of oil spilt in Korean waters have been crude oil and bunker-C oil, both of which have relatively high specific gravity and contain volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals. In the case of a spill of more than 1,000 kl, it may be necessary to evacuate vulnerable and sensitive groups. Conclusions : The government should establish environmental health planning that considers the spill amount, the types of oil, and the distance between the spot of the accident and the coast, and should assemble a response team that includes environmental health specialists to prepare for the future oil spill.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2020

National parks and other protected areas often do not adequately protect national biodiversity because they were originally created for socio-economic and/or aesthetic values. The Korean government has committed to expanding the extent of protected areas to fulfill its commitments to the Aichi Biodiversity Convention. To do so, it is necessary to quantify the current levels of biodiversity representation within existing protected areas and to identify additional conservation needs for vulnerable species and ecological systems. In this study, we assess the proportion of species ranges found in South Korea's protected areas, for the species documented in the 3^rd National Ecosystem Survey. We modeled the range distribution of 3,645 species in the following taxonomic groups; plants (1,545 species), mammals (35), birds (132), herptiles (35), and insects (1,898) using the MaxEnt species distribution model and calculated how much of each species' range is within protected areas. On average, 17.4% of plant species' ranges are represented in protected areas, while for mammals and insects an average 12.0% is currently conserved. Conservation representation for herptiles averages 9.3%, while it is 8.6% for birds. Although large proportions of species that have restricted distributions should be represented in protected areas, 17 plant species, two insects (Parnassius bremeri and Lasioglossum occidens), and one bird species (Phylloscopus inornatus) with ranges smaller than 1,000 ㎢ have less than 10% of their ranges within protected areas. Establishing specific conservation goals such as the protection of endangered species or vulnerable taxonomic groups will increase the efficiency of the biodiversity conservation strategies. In addition, lowland coastal areas are critical for biodiversity conservation because the protected areas in South Korea are mainly composed of high mountainous areas.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.143-148
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• 2019

In modern society, developing and utilizing safety service and system environments is a very important and great interest. In particular, the provision of safety services to socially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, women, the disabled and foreigners has become a social issue. However, since most safety services and systems are applied to the general public, it is necessary to develop systems for socially vulnerable groups. Therefore, in this paper, we developed a system module that processes and transmits data to recognize the situation in real time and respond quickly. To this end, various sensors for real-time situation recognition were designed as integrated modules, and a safety system module was developed to analyze the collected data and transmit the processing results.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.563-572
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• 2023

Objectives: The high readmission rate of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has led to the worldwide establishment of proactive measures for identifying and mitigating readmissions. This study aimed to identify factors associated with readmission, as well as groups particularly vulnerable to readmission that require transitional care services. Methods: To apply transitional care services that are compatible with Korea's circumstances, targeted groups that are particularly vulnerable to readmission should be identified. Therefore, using the National Health Insurance Service's Senior Cohort database, we analyzed data from 4874 patients who were first hospitalized with COPD from 2009 to 2019 to define and analyze readmissions within 30 days after discharge. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors correlated with readmission within 30 days. Results: The likelihood of readmission was associated with older age (for individuals in their 80s vs. those in their 50s: odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 2.12), medical insurance type (for workplace subscribers vs. local subscribers: OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.99), type of hospital (those with 300 beds or more vs. fewer beds: OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.90), and healthcare organization location (provincial areas vs. the capital area: OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.41). Conclusions: Older patients, patients holding a local subscriber insurance qualification, individuals admitted to hospitals with fewer than 300 beds, and those admitted to provincial hospitals are suggested to be higher-priority for transitional care services.